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CITY · 2020 ACS

Rock Island

Illinois · 37,108 residents · 16.871 sq mi
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The short version

Rock Island has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,120. Population has declined 6% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $106,300. The poverty rate of 21.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 30% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 37.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
37,108
−6%since 2000
from 39,684 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,200 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 2,352 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.6
+3%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
36K37K38K40K41K1990201020202024Rock Island
202436K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,120
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,729 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,596
+33%since 2000
from $19,202 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
27.6%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.5%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade13.5%
US avg: 10%
Information11.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical5.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$106,300
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$714
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $437 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
62.0%
−3.1 ptssince 2000
from 65.1% in 2000
38.0% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+10%since 2000
from 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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic59%(21,910)
Black19.2%(7,135)
Hispanic / Latino11.6%(4,297)
Asian4.3%(1,603)
Other4.1%(1,519)
Diversity Score72.9%(27,048)
Diversity Score
73
+49%since 2000
from 49 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.2%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 18.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.7%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 82.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.6%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.2 min
+62%since 2000
from 11.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.2%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
11.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 63.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.6%
−32.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
51.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
9.9%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.8%
−82.4 ptssince 2013
from 88.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Rock Island to nearby cities

ROCK ISLAND VS
Moline
Income$67,701+41%
Home value$146,300+38%
Population42,362+17%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROCK ISLAND VS
Davenport
Income$66,200+38%
Home value$166,400+57%
Population100,358+177%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROCK ISLAND VS
Bettendorf
Income$100,495+109%
Home value$306,500+188%
Population40,710+12%
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ROCK ISLAND VS
East Moline
Income$61,779+28%
Home value$134,600+27%
Population20,453−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rock Island, Illinois?

Rock Island, Illinois has about 37,108 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Rock Island, Illinois earns about $48,120 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 $106,300, and the typical rent is about $714 a month.

How educated are people in Rock Island, Illinois?

About 22.2% 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 21.5% 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 3,353 residents, a change of about -8 percent over that period.

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

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