DeKalb County, IL Property Taxes (2026)

DeKalb County owners pay a median of $5,889 a year on a median home value of $231,900, an effective rate of 2.54%. That's the 2nd-highest rate of 102 Illinois counties with Census data, above the Illinois county median of 1.85%.

Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)

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Effective tax rate

2.54%

2nd highest of 102 in IL

Median annual bill

$5,889

~$491/month

Median home value

$231,900

Illinois county median

1.85%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in DeKalb County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply DeKalb County's 2.54% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$5,890
Savings at 10–15% off
$589–$884
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DeKalb County vs. Illinois vs. U.S. property tax rates

DeKalb County2.54%
Illinois county median1.85%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: DeKalb County's effective property tax rate is 2.54%, vs. 1.85% for the median Illinois county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 2nd of 102 in Illinois. Effective rate = median tax bill ÷ median home value, so it already reflects typical exemptions. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023))

How to appeal your property taxes in DeKalb County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the DeKalb County Assessor. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The DeKalb County deadline is 30 days after publication. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.

  3. 3

    Gather evidence

    Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.

  4. 4

    Present your case

    Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the County Assessor.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $5,889 bill, 10–15% off is $589–$883 a year.

Want help with it?

TaxDrop builds your case from comparable sales data.

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Property tax exemptions in Illinois

Illinois homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the DeKalb County Assessor for amounts.

Homestead exemption

For your primary residence. Reduces the value used to calculate your bill.

Senior / over-65

Many states add an exemption or freeze for owners 65 and older.

Disability

For homeowners with qualifying disabilities, often similar to the over-65 benefit.

Veterans

Disabled veterans may get partial or full exemptions depending on rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in DeKalb County, Illinois?
The median effective property tax rate in DeKalb County is 2.54%: a median annual bill of $5,889 on a median home value of $231,900. That's the 2nd-highest rate of 102 Illinois counties with Census data. Your own rate depends on which city, school district and special districts you're in. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
How much are property taxes in DeKalb County?
The median DeKalb County property tax bill is $5,889 a year, about $491 a month, compared with a Illinois county median of $2,363.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in DeKalb County?
The deadline to appeal in DeKalb County is 30 days after publication. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is DeKalb County a high property tax area?
DeKalb County's 2.54% effective rate is above the Illinois county median of 1.85% and above the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 2nd-highest rate of 102 Illinois counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my DeKalb County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Kane County

Rate: 2.39%

Median bill: $7,230

Kendall County

Rate: 2.53%

Median bill: $7,556

Lee County

Rate: 1.92%

Median bill: $2,980

Boone County

Rate: 2.27%

Median bill: $4,507

Ogle County

Rate: 2.03%

Median bill: $3,737

McHenry County

Rate: 2.49%

Median bill: $7,153

DuPage County

Rate: 2.09%

Median bill: $7,833

Winnebago County

Rate: 2.48%

Median bill: $3,850

← All 102 Illinois counties

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