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DeKalb, Illinois
City
The Egyptian Theatre in Downtown DeKalb
FlagLogo
Nickname: Barb City
Location of DeKalb in DeKalb County, Illinois
DeKalbShow map of IllinoisDeKalbShow map of the United States
Coordinates: 41°55′53″N 88°45′01″W / 41.93139°N 88.75028°W / 41.93139; -88.75028
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	DeKalb
Incorporated	1856
Named for	Johann de Kalb
Government
• Mayor	Cohen Barnes
Area
• City	17.12 sq mi (44.33 km)
• Land	16.95 sq mi (43.91 km)
• Water	0.17 sq mi (0.43 km)
Elevation	879 ft (268 m)
Population
• City	40,290
• Density	2,376.71/sq mi (917.66/km)
• Urban	68,545
Time zone	UTC−6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	60115
Area code	815
FIPS code	17-19161
Public Transit	DeKalb Public Transit
Website	www.cityofdekalb.com

DeKalb (/dɪˈkælb/ dih-KALB) is a city in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,290 at the 2020 census. The city is named after decorated Franconian-French war hero Johann de Kalb, who died during the American Revolutionary War.

Founded in 1856, DeKalb became important in the development and manufacture of barbed wire, especially for agriculture and raising livestock. While agricultural-related industries remain a facet of the city, along with health and services, the city's largest employer in the 21st century is Northern Illinois University, founded in 1895. DeKalb is about 65 miles (105 km) from downtown Chicago.

History

DeKalb was originally called Huntley's Grove, and under the latter name was platted in 1853. The name is for Baron Johann de Kalb, a major general in the American Revolutionary War. The first church in DeKalb was organized in 1844. Beginning in 1846, a stage coach traveled from Chicago through DeKalb and Dixon to Galena. A post office has been in operation at DeKalb since 1849. The first railroad reached DeKalb in 1853.

Barbed wire was a key product in DeKalb's history. Joseph Glidden (1813–1906), a DeKalb resident since about 1850, received a patent in 1874 for inventing the conventional double-strand barbed wire that remains in common use around the world today. Glidden and Isaac L. Ellwood (1833–1910) manufactured barbed wire in DeKalb, initially as the Barb Fence Company. Successor companies included the 1881 Superior Barbed Wire Company, which merged into American Steel and Wire in 1898 and finally became United States Steel. Between 1892 and 1898 Glidden and Ellwood played substantial parts in establishing the state teachers college that became Northern Illinois University.

DeKalb played a leading role in the development of commercial hybrid corn. From a base in the early county Farm Bureau, the DeKalb Agricultural Association produced large quantities of high-yield seed varieties, beginning in 1934. Until the mid-1970s, more American farmers planted DeKalb hybrid corn than any other brand. The DeKalb logo was a flying ear of corn. A series of joint ventures and mergers beginning in 1982 resulted in the DeKalb brand of agricultural products being owned by Bayer since 2017.

Geography

DeKalb is in northern Illinois, about 65 miles (105 km) west of downtown Chicago and 30 miles southeast of Rockford. The South Branch Kishwaukee River flows northward through DeKalb.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, DeKalb has a total area of 17.12 square miles (44.34 km), of which 16.95 square miles (43.90 km) (or 99.03%) is land and 0.17 square miles (0.44 km) (or 0.97%) is water.

On August 24, 2007, the Kishwaukee River at DeKalb crested at 15.27 feet (4.65 m) (all-time record 15.8 feet (4.8 m)), causing major flooding. This was only the second time the river has risen above 15 feet (4.6 m) since the level of the river has been recorded.

Climate

DeKalb has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) typical of northern Illinois, with four distinct seasons. Summers can be hot, while winters are cold and snowy. Precipitation is somewhat uniform year-round, although it can be heavier in the spring and summer when the area is prone to strong thunderstorms.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census there were 40,290 people, 15,839 households, and 7,804 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,353.66 inhabitants per square mile (908.75/km). There were 16,629 housing units at an average density of 971.43 per square mile (375.07/km). The racial makeup of the city was 58.73% White, 18.48% African American, 0.76% Native American, 3.92% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 7.99% from other races, and 10.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.83% of the population.

There were 15,839 households, out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.03% were married couples living together, 13.14% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.73% were non-families. 34.52% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.78% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.22 and the average family size was 2.45.

The city's age distribution consisted of 17.9% under the age of 18, 31.8% from 18 to 24, 24% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,223, and the median income for a family was $67,155. Males had a median income of $32,306 versus $17,703 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,819. About 17.8% of families and 26.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.8% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census of 2000, there are 39,018 people, 13,081 households, and 6,566 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,194.7/km² (3,093.9/mi²). There are 13,619 housing units at an average density of 417.0/km² (1,079.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 79.49% White, 9.08% African American, 0.24% Native American, 4.62% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 4.35% from other races, and 2.09% from two or more races. 9.04% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Economy

DeKalb is home to Northern Illinois University, the city's largest employer and Illinois's third-largest campus. Other large employers include Northwestern Medicine, General Electric, Monsanto (originally as DeKalb Corn), the local school district, and a large retail district along Route 23 (shared with Sycamore).

DeKalb is also home to warehouses for several major companies, including Target, 3M, Nestlé, and Ferrara Candy Company, in part due to DeKalb's proximity to major highways such as I-88 and I-39. 3M's complex serves as the distribution hub for three of 3M's four business units and export operations to North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

In 2011, DeKalb was the broadcast base of Up and In: The Baseball Prospectus Podcast with Kevin Goldstein and Jason Parks. The town was also the filming location for the 2012 film At Any Price.

In June, 2020, Meta announced it would construct an $800 million data center on the south side of DeKalb.

Arts and culture

DeKalb is home to the annual Corn Fest, usually held in late August.

The Egyptian Theatre, built in 1929, is one of a handful of such theatres still extant in the United States. The Stage Coach Players, founded in 1947, have a theatre on 5th Street.

Parks and recreation

The DeKalb Park District is responsible for DeKalb's 44 parks and recreation facilities. Members of the League of Women Voters established the park district in 1935 to address the need for a public swimming pool. The City of DeKalb gave the first four parks to the District: Annie's Woods, Huntley Park, Liberty Park, and Hopkins Park.

In 2000 the district opened the Sports and Recreation Center, a multi-function facility that features an indoor field of over 1 acre, clear-span space with synthetic field turf. The park district provides year-round athletic and recreation programs including day camps, youth baseball and softball, adult softball leagues both indoors and outdoors, swimming lessons, golf lessons, karate, tennis, adult and youth basketball leagues, indoor soccer, fitness classes, and preschool.

The DeKalb Park District park system has 44 parks totaling over 700 acres: community parks, neighborhood parks, passive parks and linear parks. Notable parks and facilities include:

• River Heights Golf Course
• Buena Vista Golf Course
• Hopkins Park Pool and Community Center
• Nehring Center for Culture and Tourism
• Ellwood House Museum and Park

Government

DeKalb has a council-manager government. Policy is developed by an elected city council and implemented by an appointed professional city manager. The DeKalb City Council is made up of a mayor, elected at-large, and seven alderpersons, elected by ward. Each serves a four-year term, with half the council elected every two years. A city clerk is also elected every four years to serve as the city's official recordkeeper. City council meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays of every month.

Education

There are 11 public schools, one private school, one university and one public library.

Primary and secondary

DeKalb is served by both public and private school systems. DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 operates eight elementary schools (Grades K–5), Clinton Rosette and Huntley Middle Schools (Grades 6–8), and DeKalb High School (Grades 9–12), which is the home of the Barbs.

Colleges and universities

Northern Illinois University (NIU) was founded in DeKalb as the Northern Illinois State Normal School in 1895. NIU is a comprehensive teaching and research institution with total enrollment around 20,000, which makes NIU the third largest campus in Illinois.

Transportation

Railway

The first railroad entered DeKalb on August 22, 1853. In 1864, the line became part of the Chicago and North Western Railway main line from Chicago to Omaha, which carried passengers until 1971. A depot between 6th and 7th Streets was built in 1891. The Union Pacific Railroad took control of the line in 1995. Since 2006, the nearest passenger rail service is at the Metra commuter system station in Elburn, 15 miles (24 km) east of DeKalb, which is accessible by bus. In January 2023, the Dekalb City Council voted to fund a transportation study aimed at determining feasibility of extending Metra Union Pacific West Line commuter rail service from Elburn to the city. In May 2023, the initial key facts of the feasibility study were published, which showed that an extension to Dekalb was feasible based on commuter and daily ridership estimates. In 2024, Dekalb backed a regional feasibility study by federal officials to revive Amtrak service that ran as the Twin Cities Zephyr, the service was discontinued in the 1970s.

Road

The transcontinental Lincoln Highway was established through DeKalb in 1913. The first "seedling mile" of concrete pavement was built in 1914 at Malta, six miles west of DeKalb. The rest of Lincoln Highway across DeKalb County was paved in 1920. The highway is now part of Illinois Route 38. The main north-south highway through DeKalb is Illinois Route 23, which forms an unusual intersection of two state highways and a major railroad at the corner of Fourth and Lincoln. Interstate Highway 88, part of the Illinois Tollway system, was completed to DeKalb around 1975 and passes just south of town, where there are two toll plazas and a service oasis that includes restaurants and a gas station. Via the tollway, DeKalb is 30 miles (48 km) west of Aurora and 65 miles (105 km) west of downtown Chicago.

Bus

Scheduled local bus service throughout the DeKalb area is provided by DeKalb Public Transit, a joint effort by the city in partnership with Northern Illinois University. Routes extend through the university, the city, and Sycamore with extensions west to Kishwaukee College and east to the passenger rail station at Elburn. Schedules on the main routes vary depending on whether the university is in session. The system began in 1971 as the Huskie Bus Line under contract to the NIU Student Association. By 1982 the system served 3 million riders per year, second only in Illinois to the Chicago Transit Authority. In 2018, it merged with a smaller City of DeKalb bus system, which had been operated by the local Voluntary Action Center (VAC). Paratransit operations were added in 2021, also by transfer from VAC. VAC continues to serve a wider surrounding area with on-demand transportation for people with special needs and to out-of-town medical appointments.

Airport

DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport (DTMA) (ICAO: KDKB, FAA LID: DKB), serving the general aviation community, is on the east side of the city at 3232 Pleasant Street. The airport opened in April 1944 in association with a factory making Interstate TDR assault drone aircraft. The city took ownership in 1948. There is no commercial service directly to DeKalb, but the city center is 43.43 miles away from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, making commercial air access relatively easy.

Notable people

• George Franklin Barber, architect, known as one of the most successful American domestic architects of the late Victorian period. He was born in DeKalb.
• A. J. Bramlett, former professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
• Dennis J. Collins, Illinois lawyer and state legislator
• Cindy Crawford, model and actress, appeared on hundreds of magazine covers throughout her career and in 1995 was named the world's highest-paid model by Forbes. She was born and raised in DeKalb.
• Joseph B. Ebbesen, optometrist and Illinois state legislator.
• Isaac L. Ellwood, rancher, businessman and barbed wire entrepreneur.
• Philip Ewell, American professor of music theory at Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center.
• Fred Eychaner, media mogul and philanthropist. He was raised in DeKalb.
• Joseph Glidden, farmer who patented barbed wire in 1874, which changed the development of the American West.
• Jacob Haish, one of the inventors of barbed wire.
• Barbara Hale, film actress and Emmy Award-winning co-star of Perry Mason television series.
• Mike Heimerdinger, assistant coach for several NFL teams including the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans. He was born and raised in DeKalb.
• Richard Jenkins, actor, nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor for his performances in The Visitor (2007) and The Shape of Water (2017) respectively. He was born and raised in DeKalb.
• Mel Kenyon, racing driver
• Alan and Dale Klapmeier, co-founders of the Cirrus Design Corporation and 2014 inductees into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. They were raised in DeKalb and graduated from DeKalb High School.
• Doug Mallory, former coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He attended DeKalb High School while his father was coach of the Northern Illinois Huskies.
• Karl Nelson, offensive tackle for the New York Giants. He played football for the DeKalb High School Barbs.
• Mel Owens, linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams from 1981 to 1989. He played football for the DeKalb High School Barbs.
• Richard Powers, author and winner of the 2006 National Book Award for Fiction for The Echo Maker.
• Hellah Sidibe, former professional soccer player, ran across the United States in 2021.
• Weekend Nachos, powerviolence punk band. They were formed in DeKalb.
• Sue Vicory, writer, film producer and filmmaker
• W. Willard Wirtz, United States Secretary of Labor during the Kennedy administration and Johnson administration. He was born and raised in DeKalb where his home is preserved on the campus of Northern Illinois University.

See also

• Haish Memorial Library
• Kishwaukee River
• Northern Illinois University
• Northern Illinois University shooting

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
2. "2010 Census Urban Area List". Archived from the original on October 10, 2012.
3. ^ "History of DeKalb - DeKalb, IL". www.cityofdekalb.com.
4. Callary, Edward (September 29, 2008). Place Names of Illinois. University of Illinois Press. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-252-09070-7.
5. Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 63.
6. ^ Davy, Harriet Wilson, ed. (1963). From oxen to jets, a history of DeKalb County, 1935-1963. DeKalb County Board of Supervisors. LCCN 63-21791.
7. "DeKalb County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
8. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
9. South Branch Kishwaukee River at DeKalb, Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, National Weather Service. Retrieved August 25, 2007.
10. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
11. "Station: De Kalb, IL". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
13. ^ "NIU, 3 other Illinois universities' credit rating lowered". March 19, 2013.
14. "Why Dekalb County?". DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
15. "Baseball Prospectus". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
16. "Breaking: Facebook to build $800M data center on DeKalb's south side". Shaw Local. July 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
17. "History of Corn Fest". DeKalb Corn Fest. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
18. "Arts and Culture - DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau". DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
19. "Stage Coach Players". www.stagecoachers.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
20. "Northern Illinois University". Forbes. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
21. "Law School - Northern Illinois University". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
22. "DeKalb, Ill., funds study on possible Metra service". January 14, 2023.
23. DeKalb Metra Extension Feasibility Study
24. "Annual Metra operational costs could range from $8.2M to $12.8M for DeKalb, feasibility study shows – Shaw Local". Archived from the original on May 31, 2023.
25. "DeKalb County Board backs regional Amtrak feasibility study". Shaw Local. March 27, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
26. "Public Transit". City of DeKalb. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
27. "Transit Resource Guide". City of DeKalb. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
28. Embrey, Michael (September 22, 2020). "DeKalb's Huskie Bus Line transportation system was born (1971)". DeKalb County Online. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
29. "Voluntary Action Center". Retrieved March 13, 2021.
30. "Paratransit". City of DeKalb. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
31. "About MedVAC/TransVAC in DeKalb County". Voluntary Action Center. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
32. Michael Tomlan, Introduction to George F. Barber's Victorian Cottage Architecture: An American Catalog of Designs, 1891 (Dover Publications, 2004), pp. v-xvi.
33. M. Ruth Little (2009). Barber, George F. (1854-1915), North Carolina Architects and Builders, A Biographical Dictionary. Website maintained by North Carolina State University Libraries. Accessed May 3, 2011.
34. "A.J. Bramlett Player Profile, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA Stats, NCAA Stats, Game Logs, Bests, Awards". Basketball.realgm.com. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
35. 'Illinois Blue Book 1971-1972,' Biographical Sketch of Dennis J. Collins, pg. 156-157
36. Poulisse, Adam (October 3, 2015). "DeKalb's Cindy Crawford: Model's roots featured in her autobiography, 'Becoming'". Daily Chronicle. DeKalb, Illinois. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
37. 'Illinois Blue Book 1983-1984, Biographical Sketch of Joseph B. Ebbesen, pg. 97
38. ^ Krell, Alan (February 3, 2002). The Devil's Rope: A Cultural History of Barbed Wire. Islington, London, England: Reaktion Books. p. 23. ISBN 978-1861891440.
39. "Dr. Philip Ewell to discuss "Music Theory's White Racial Frame" at School of Music Convocation - NIU Arts Blog". NIU Arts Blog. February 16, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
40. McCormick, John (June 7, 2005). "Fred Eychaner: Reclusive millionaire is one of the nation's top Democratic donors". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
41. Wright, Gilson (April 15, 1973). "Barbara Hale is "my kind of people" says writer". The Journal News. The Journal News. p. 12. Retrieved September 4, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
42. Litsky, Frank (October 1, 2011). "Mike Heimerdinger, 58, Who Helped to Coach Super Bowl Winners, Is Dead". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
43. Benjamin Secher (June 28, 2008). "Richard Jenkins: bald, 61 years old - and a star at last". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
44. "Cirrus Design Corporation - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on Cirrus Design Corporation". Reference for Business - Company History Index. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
45. DeKalb Barb Football (November 13, 2015). "Big thanks to DeKalb Alumni and current Atlanta Falcons Coach Doug Mallory for the conference call to the Barbs football team today" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
46. Conklin, Mike (September 8, 1987). "Stricken Giant's Father Dismisses Cancer Link". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
47. "Mel Owens". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
48. Schrader, Barry (January 21, 2014). "Richard Powers produces 11th novel". Daily Chronicle (Illinois). DeKalb, Illinois. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
49. Zilis, Anthony. "DeKalb grad evaluates pro soccer prospects", Daily Chronicle, September 4, 2013. Accessed January 10, 2013. "Nine years ago, a player with a bright future in professional soccer was ecstatic just to make the DeKalb High School varsity team. Hellah Sidibe had moved permanently from Mali to DeKalb in 2004, where his parents each earned their Ph. D. at Northern Illinois University, and he was one of just a few freshmen to make the team."
50. Cimarusti, Luca (January 10, 2017). "Weekend Nachos leave behind a legacy of brutality". Chicago Reader. Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
51. "A Filmmaker's Vision Takes Flight in the Midwest – Butterfly Effect". Retrieved March 13, 2022.
52. Weil, Martin (April 25, 2010). "Willard Wirtz, labor secretary for JFK and LBJ, dies at 98". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. Retrieved March 12, 2017.

External links

• Official website
• DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

v t e Municipalities and communities of DeKalb County, Illinois, United States
County seat: Sycamore
Cities	DeKalb Genoa Sandwich‡ Sycamore
Town	Cortland
Villages	Hinckley Kingston Kirkland Lee‡ Malta Maple Park‡ Shabbona Somonauk‡ Waterman
Townships	Afton Clinton Cortland DeKalb Franklin Genoa Kingston Malta Mayfield Milan Paw Paw Pierce Sandwich Shabbona Somonauk South Grove Squaw Grove Sycamore Victor
Unincorporated communities	Afton Center Charter Grove Clare Colvin Park East Paw Paw‡ Elva Esmond Fairdale Five Points Franks McGirr New Lebanon Rollo Shabbona Grove Wilkinson
Ghost towns	Brush Point Coltonville
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Illinois portal United States portal

v t e Chicago metropolitan area
Major city	Chicago
Cities (over 30,000 in 2020)	Aurora Berwyn Calumet City Crown Point Crystal Lake DeKalb Des Plaines Elgin Elmhurst Evanston Gary Hammond Highland Park Joliet Kenosha Naperville North Chicago Park Ridge Portage St. Charles Valparaiso Waukegan Wheaton
Towns and villages (over 30,000 in 2020)	Addison Arlington Heights Bartlett Bolingbrook Buffalo Grove Carol Stream Carpentersville Cicero Downers Grove Elk Grove Village Glendale Heights Glenview Grayslake Gurnee Hanover Park Hoffman Estates Lombard Merrillville Mount Prospect Mundelein Niles Northbrook Oak Lawn Oak Park Orland Park Oswego Palatine Plainfield Romeoville Schaumburg Skokie Streamwood Tinley Park Wheeling Wonder Lake Woodridge
Counties	Cook DeKalb DuPage Grundy Jasper Kane Kankakee Kendall Kenosha Lake, IL Lake, IN McHenry Newton Porter Will
Regions	Great Lakes Northern Illinois Northern Indiana
Sub-regions	Chicago Southland Eastern Ridges and Lowlands Fox Valley (Illinois) Golden Corridor Illinois Technology and Research Corridor North Shore (Chicago) Northwest Indiana
Illinois, United States

v t e Places adjacent to DeKalb, Illinois
Esmond Clare Sycamore Malta DeKalb Cortland Shabbona Waterman Hinckley

v t e Northern Illinois University
Located in: DeKalb, Illinois Founded: 1895
Academics	College of Business College of Engineering and Engineering Technology College of Law College of Visual and Performing Arts
Campus	NIU Convocation Center Chick Evans Field House
Athletics	Teams Baseball Men's basketball Women's basketball Football Gymnastics Men's soccer Women's soccer Softball Women's volleyball Wrestling Venues Huskie Stadium Ralph McKinzie Field Soccer and Track Complex
Media	Northern Star Northern Illinois University Press Northern Public Radio
Miscellaneous	Mass shooting List of Northern Illinois University people
Category

• DeKalb, Illinois
• Cities in Illinois
• Populated places established in 1837
• Cities in DeKalb County, Illinois
• Cities in the Chicago metropolitan area