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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Rock Island

Illinois · 39,684 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 $34,729. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $69,800. Households here earn about 25% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 36.4
US median: 35.2
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
39,684
−2%since 1990
from 40,461 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,352 / sq mi
−2%since 1990
from 2,398 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
36.4
+6%since 1990
from 34.5 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
36K37K38K40K41K1990201020202024Rock Island
202436K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,729
+9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $24,131 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,202
+55%since 1990
from $12,381 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
14.5%
−4.8 ptssince 1990
from 19.3% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$69,800
+23%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $43,200 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$437
+6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $313 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
65.1%
+3.1 ptssince 1990
from 62.1% in 1990
34.9% rent
Afford Score
2.0
+12%since 1990
from 1.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rock Island on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic80.7%(32,658)
Black17.2%(6,969)
Hispanic / Latino3.7%(1,516)
Asian0.6%(229)
Diversity Score45.7%(18,491)
2000
White, non-Hispanic74.3%(29,485)
Black17%(6,741)
Hispanic / Latino5.9%(2,341)
Asian0.7%(290)
Diversity Score48.8%(19,367)
Diversity Score
49
+7%since 1990
from 46 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.7%
+1.7 ptssince 1990
from 17.0% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
82.9%
+6.6 ptssince 1990
from 76.3% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
6.3%
+0.8 ptssince 1990
from 5.5% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
11.3 min
−22%since 1990
from 14.4 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
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

Panama City
Pop 37,806
Biscayne Gardens
Pop 35,472
Dover
Pop 40,592
West Little River
Pop 33,890
Places similar to Rock Island
Head to head

Compare Rock Island to nearby cities

ROCK ISLAND VS
Moline
Income$67,701+95%
Home value$146,300+110%
Population42,362+17%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROCK ISLAND VS
Davenport
Income$66,200+91%
Home value$166,400+138%
Population100,358+177%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROCK ISLAND VS
Bettendorf
Income$100,495+189%
Home value$306,500+339%
Population40,710+12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROCK ISLAND VS
East Moline
Income$61,779+78%
Home value$134,600+93%
Population20,453−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rock Island, Illinois?

Rock Island, Illinois has about 39,684 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Rock Island, Illinois earns about $34,729 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 $69,800, and the typical rent is about $437 a month.

How educated are people in Rock Island, Illinois?

About 18.7% 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 14.5% of people in Rock Island, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rock Island, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Rock Island, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 777 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →