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DeKalb is a mid-sized city of approximately 42,000 residents in north-central Illinois, located about 65 miles west of Chicago along Interstate 88. The city is best known as the home of Northern Illinois University, and NIU students make up a substantial share of the local population, giving DeKalb a distinct college-town character. The community was historically significant as the birthplace of barbed wire, and a small museum near downtown commemorates that history. Today, DeKalb's economy is anchored by the university, healthcare, and a handful of manufacturing employers along its industrial corridors. Lincoln Highway (US-30) serves as the city's main commercial spine, running east-west through the urban core and connecting campus to downtown and beyond. Downtown DeKalb has a modest but active commercial district with local restaurants, bars, and shops catering to students and long-term residents alike. The city is flat and bikeable, and the STAR Line Metra commuter rail station provides a connection to the Chicago suburb rail network. Rents in DeKalb are well below Chicago-area norms, making it an affordable option for students and young professionals who want a livable city with easy access to the broader metro region.
The area north of campus along Annie Glidden Road is one of the highest-density student neighborhoods in DeKalb, with apartment complexes ranging from budget studios to multi-bedroom units. Its proximity to NIU residence halls and academic buildings makes it a first choice for students moving off campus for the first time.
The Lincoln Highway (US-30) stretch running east from campus toward downtown is lined with student apartments, retail, and dining options that serve everyday needs. Students here enjoy short commutes on foot or by bus and easy access to the handful of restaurants and shops clustered along this well-traveled road.
The quieter streets south of campus along Normal Road offer a mix of rental houses and smaller apartment buildings at relatively low rents. This part of DeKalb attracts students who want a calmer residential environment while still being close enough to campus to commute by bike or on foot.
Downtown DeKalb along Lincoln Highway near First Street has a modest commercial core with local restaurants, bars, and shops that cater to both students and long-term residents. A small number of apartments are available above storefronts or in renovated older buildings, appealing to students who want a more urban feel.
Here's what you need to know about getting around DeKalb.
DeKalb is served by the Huskie Bus system operated by Northern Illinois University, which provides free rides for NIU students between major off-campus residential areas and the main campus. The STAR Line Metra commuter rail station in DeKalb connects the city to the Chicago suburb corridor, making car-free access to the metro area possible. Fixed-route service is limited on evenings and weekends, so students who rely entirely on transit should plan schedules accordingly.
DeKalb is a relatively flat and compact city, making it well suited for walking and biking. The Lincoln Highway corridor between campus and downtown has sidewalks and moderate foot traffic, and many off-campus rental neighborhoods are within a 15- to 20-minute walk of the NIU main campus. Bike lanes and shared paths exist in several parts of the city, and a bicycle is one of the most practical ways for students to get around the areas closest to campus.
Off-campus housing in DeKalb typically includes surface parking lots or street parking at no extra charge, which is a notable advantage for students with vehicles. On-campus parking requires a permit and can be more limited near the core academic buildings during peak hours. The broader DeKalb area is very car-friendly, with wide roads, ample free parking at most retail destinations, and easy access to Interstate 88 for travel to the Chicago suburbs or Rockford.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
DeKalb is one of the more affordable places to rent in northern Illinois. One-bedroom apartments near NIU typically range from $650 to $1,000 per month, and two-bedroom units run from about $800 to $1,300. Splitting a house or multi-bedroom apartment with roommates can bring individual costs down to $400 to $600 per month, depending on location and unit quality.
Browse student housing near each DeKalb-area university.