CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Rock Island

Illinois · 40,461 residents · 16.871 sq mi

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The short version

Rock Island has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $24,131. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $43,200. Households here earn about 25% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $30,130

Mid-age

median age 34.5

US median: 33.0

Less educated

17% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

More affordable

home values down 18%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

40,461

+2%vs 2000

vs 39,684 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

2,398 / sq mi

+2%vs 2000

vs 2,352 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

34.5

−5%vs 2000

vs 36.4 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

202436K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$24,131

−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $34,729 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$12,381

−36%vs 2000

vs $19,202 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

19.3%

+4.8 ptsvs 2000

vs 14.5% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$43,200

−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $69,800 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$313

−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $437 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

62.1%

−3.1 ptsvs 2000

vs 65.1% in 2000

37.9% rent

Afford Score

1.8

−11%vs 2000

vs 2.0 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Rock Island on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic74.3%(29,485)

Black17%(6,741)

Hispanic / Latino5.9%(2,341)

Asian0.7%(290)

Other0%

Diversity Score48.8%(19,367)

1990

White, non-Hispanic80.7%(32,658)

Black17.2%(6,969)

Hispanic / Latino3.7%(1,516)

Asian0.6%(229)

Other1.5%(605)

Diversity Score45.7%(18,491)

Diversity Score

−6%vs 2000

vs 49 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

17.0%

−1.7 ptsvs 2000

vs 18.7% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

76.3%

−6.6 ptsvs 2000

vs 82.9% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

5.5%

−0.8 ptsvs 2000

vs 6.3% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

14.4 min

+28%vs 2000

vs 11.3 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Rock Island

Head to head

Compare Rock Island to nearby cities

ROCK ISLAND VS

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Income$67,701+181%

Home value$146,300+239%

Population42,362+17%

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ROCK ISLAND VS

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Income$66,200+174%

Home value$166,400+285%

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ROCK ISLAND VS

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Income$100,495+316%

Home value$306,500+609%

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ROCK ISLAND VS

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Home value$134,600+212%

Population20,453−44%

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Rock Island, Illinois?

Rock Island, Illinois has about 40,461 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Rock Island, Illinois earns about $24,131 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rock Island, Illinois expensive?

In Rock Island, Illinois, the median home is worth about $43,200, and the typical rent is about $313 a month.

How educated are people in Rock Island, Illinois?

About 17.0% of adults age 25 and over in Rock Island, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rock Island, Illinois?

About 19.3% of people in Rock Island, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →