Median gross rent · ACS 2024
$1,049
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
Illinois rental market · county detail
DeKalb County, Illinois Rental Market
A source-attributed view of rents, vacancy and the Illinois RDN Rental Market Indicator for DeKalb County. The indicator compares landlord- and investor-perspective rental conditions across Illinois counties.
Indicator month: September 2026.
Key facts
As of September 2026
- As of September 2026, DeKalb's Illinois RDN Rental Market Indicator is 35.0 out of 100 (Soft Rental Market) and ranks #88 of 102 ranked Illinois counties, down 7.0 points from August 2026.
- The 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates put median gross rent in DeKalb at $1,049 per month.
- DeKalb's rental vacancy rate is 2.6%.
- Renter-occupied households account for 38.6% of occupied households in DeKalb.
- DeKalb's gross rental yield comparison is 427.0%; it does not account for property expenses.
- Zillow ZORI typical monthly rent for DeKalb for September 2026 is $1,400 (Data provided by Zillow Group).
Source: Illinois RDN calculations using available Census ACS and Zillow county data. Data provided by Zillow Group where Zillow measurements are shown.
DeKalb County RDN Rental Market Indicator
Current indicator
Indicator month: September 2026
Rental indicator
35/ 100
FearSoft Rental Market
Zone labels describe the score's level — not a sentiment survey, advice, or forecast.
Ranks #88 of 102 Illinois counties with an indicator
- Versus prior month
- −7.0
- Versus a year earlier
- −12.7
Changes are indicator points, not changes in rent. The indicator describes relative landlord and investor conditions; it is not investment advice, an appraisal, or a forecast.
Component breakdown
Component scores are percentile ranks among Illinois counties.
- Rental vacancy25 points maximum
2.6% raw value · 84.2 / 100 percentile score
- Rent momentum25 points maximum
7.3% / year raw value · 12.0 / 100 percentile score
- Gross rental yield25 points maximum
427.0% raw value · 5.0 / 100 percentile score
- Renter share10 points maximum
38.6% raw value · 96.0 / 100 percentile score
- Rent burden15 points maximum
33.3% raw value · 1.0 / 100 percentile score
DeKalb County's indicator is 35 out of 100; the Illinois statewide indicator for the same month is 44.4.
DeKalb County rental statistics
These are area-level measurements, not asking rents, property valuations or expected returns for a specific home.
Typical rent · Zillow ZORI
$1,400
Data period: September 2026
Source: Data provided by Zillow Group
Rental vacancy
2.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
Renter share
38.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
Rent burden
33.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
Median gross rent as a percentage of household income.
Gross rental yield
427.0%
Source: Census ACS and Zillow ZHVI
Before expenses; not a property-level return. Data provided by Zillow Group.
Price-to-rent ratio
23.4×
Source: Census ACS and Zillow ZHVI
Typical home value divided by annual rent. Data provided by Zillow Group.
Median household income
$70,724
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
DeKalb County indicator: 5-year history
Monthly county and Illinois statewide scores over the last five years, updated with each monthly refresh.
Historical months apply the latest available Census ACS vintage; month-to-month movement comes mainly from Zillow home values and rent trends.
Rent history and coverage
DeKalb County typical rent trend
Time range
Latest displayed month: September 2026 · $1,400
Data provided by Zillow GroupCounty Zillow ZORI observations; not a quote for a particular property.
HUD rent benchmarks
DeKalb County Fair Market Rents
| Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,052 | $1,155 | $1,481 | $2,006 | $2,301 |
FMRs are HUD's 40th-percentile gross rent estimates used for voucher programs. They are benchmarks, not market quotes. HUD Fair Market Rents source.
Data coverage
Available inputs determine which components can contribute to the county indicator.
- Components used
- Rental vacancy, Rent momentum, Gross rental yield, Renter share, Rent burden
- Rent source
- Census ACS
- Momentum source
- Zillow ZORI 12-month change
- ACS vintage
- 2024
- Zillow ZHVI period
- September 2026
Counties relying on ACS rather than monthly Zillow rent data may move little from month to month. Missing components are excluded and available weights redistributed; insufficient coverage produces no indicator score. Data provided by Zillow Group where Zillow measurements are available.
Questions about this county’s data
What does DeKalb County's indicator mean?
It compares DeKalb County's available rental measures with those of other Illinois counties. It is a relative editorial indicator, not an assessment of an individual property.
Why might DeKalb County's rent inputs change slowly?
Where monthly Zillow ZORI observations are unavailable, rent-related calculations rely on Census ACS five-year estimates, which update by annual vintage rather than every month.
Can I use this score to make an investment decision?
No. The score is not investment, financial, legal or real-estate advice, an appraisal or a forecast. Review current property-level information and consult qualified professionals.