Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 18 min5:21 am – 8:38 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 4 min7:24 am – 4:28 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People1,034 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 41.2416 householdsMedian household income $76,471Median home value $157,800Median rent $656 a month77% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $3,109 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting3.1% unemployment rate61% of adults are in the labour force, 499 employedMain industries: retail 22%, manufacturing 19%, education and health care 19%Average commute 25 minutes74% drive alone, 13% car-pool, 5% take public transport, 7% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages16% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher90% finished high school, 7% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 97%, Russian or other Slavic 2%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 82°F, lows 62°FColdest month January: highs 28°F, lows 11°F38 in of rain a year, on about 69 dayswettest month June35 in of snow a year, on about 21 days11 days above 90°F, 148 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Freeport Waste Wtp station, 9 mi away
Nearby landmarksWillow Lakelake · 7.1 miLake Summersetlake · 8.5 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsDakota Parkpark · 2.5 miTaylor Parkpark · 7.9 mi · 70 acresAvon Bottoms Wildlife Areastate recreation area · 13.0 mi · 4,295 acresOakdale Nature Preservestate conservation land · 12.4 mi · 134 acresLake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Areastate recreation area · 13.7 mi · 721 acresCadiz Springs State Recreation Areastate park · 15.3 mi · 640 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes1 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.5 on 2 Sep 199948 mi away, near Amboy, IllinoisMost recent: magnitude 3.5 on 2 Sep 199948 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowStephenson County, IL, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsStrong wind Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality69% of days had good air in 2025244 of 355 days measured105 moderate, 5 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 1 unhealthy daysMedian index 40, worst day 169main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Winnebago County, IL, 21 mi away
Internet at home81% of households have a broadband subscription56% have cable, fibre or DSL13% rely on a mobile data plan alone10% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterDakotaserves 500 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation854 ft260 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalMercyhealth Hospital - Freeport9.4 miPost officeDakota Post Office2.4 miTown hallRock City Counsel Hall4.5 miPoliceStephenson County Sheriff's Office8.8 miFire stationDakota Fire Protection District2.5 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeHighland Community College11.0 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportChicago Rockford International Airport RFD28 miMajor airportChicago O'Hare International Airport ORD90 miInterstateI-3929 miUS highwayUS 206.8 miAmtrakMendota, IL MDT64 miCoach15766 Manchester Rd - McDonalds/FasMart LotVan Galder (Coach USA)29 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 61018 ZIP area.
