DeKalb is the home of Northern Illinois University with a student body of 25,000 and Kishwaukee College, an outstanding community college. Located 60 miles west of Chicago, DeKalb enjoys a quiet atmosphere in the country while being only an hour's drive from one of the largest urban areas in the country.

DeKalb is home to several Fortune 500 companies such as 3M, General Electric, Goodyear, Nestle, and Target. The area offers NCAA Division I sports, museums, festivals, concerts, theater, and numerous family and recreational activities.