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CITY · 2020 ACS

Rock Falls

Illinois · 8,789 residents · 3.983 sq mi
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The short version

Rock Falls has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $44,264. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $71,600. Households here earn about 35% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 24%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,789
−8%since 2000
from 9,580 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,207 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 2,405 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.3
+17%since 2000
from 36.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8K9K9K9K10K1990201020202024Rock Falls
20249K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,264
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,442 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,743
+62%since 2000
from $16,524 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.8%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.3%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 11.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade26.9%
US avg: 10%
Information9.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing4.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Wholesale trade3.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services1%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Public administration0.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$71,600
−24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$658
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $454 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
61.3%
−2.8 ptssince 2000
from 64.1% in 2000
38.7% rent
Afford Score
1.6
−12%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rock Falls on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.2%(8,258)
Black0.7%(71)
Hispanic / Latino11.5%(1,106)
Asian0.2%(23)
Other0%
Diversity Score28%(2,681)
2020
White, non-Hispanic74.4%(6,542)
Black1.9%(169)
Hispanic / Latino17.3%(1,523)
Asian0.4%(34)
Other0.7%(64)
Diversity Score43.7%(3,841)
Diversity Score
44
+56%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.1%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.3%
+16.8 ptssince 2000
from 72.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 2.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.8 min
+57%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 84.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
65.9%
+4.4 ptssince 2011
from 61.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
19.8%
−36.8 ptssince 2009
from 56.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.4%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
49.6%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.8%
−77.8 ptssince 2013
from 83.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Rock Falls

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Pop 8,291
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Pop 8,896
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Pop 9,650
Seaford
Pop 9,165
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Head to head

Compare Rock Falls to nearby cities

ROCK FALLS VS
Sterling
Income$57,350+30%
Home value$108,700+52%
Population14,394+69%
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ROCK FALLS VS
Dixon
Income$59,406+34%
Home value$120,800+69%
Population14,582+71%
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ROCK FALLS VS
Clinton
Income$60,230+36%
Home value$118,200+65%
Population24,049+182%
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ROCK FALLS VS
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Income$66,307+50%
Home value$164,300+129%
Population9,498+11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rock Falls, Illinois?

Rock Falls, Illinois has about 8,789 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rock Falls, Illinois?

The typical household in Rock Falls, Illinois earns about $44,264 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rock Falls, Illinois expensive?

In Rock Falls, Illinois, the median home is worth about $71,600, and the typical rent is about $658 a month.

How educated are people in Rock Falls, Illinois?

About 10.1% of adults age 25 and over in Rock Falls, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rock Falls, Illinois?

About 18.3% of people in Rock Falls, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rock Falls, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Rock Falls, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 865 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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