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CITY · 2010 ACS

Rockford

Illinois · 152,871 residents · 65.084 sq mi
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The short version

Rockford has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,573. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $109,100. The poverty rate of 23.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 31% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 35.8
US median: 37.2
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
152,871
+2%since 2000
from 150,115 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,349 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 2,306 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
35.8
+4%since 2000
from 34.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
138K143K148K154K159K1990201020202024Rockford
2024148K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,573
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,667 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,422
+8%since 2000
from $19,781 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
21.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
23.3%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 14.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.473
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade20.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Information10.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance5.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services5.1%
US avg: 7%
Professional, scientific, technical4.8%
US avg: 4.2%
Wholesale trade4.5%
US avg: 7.2%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$109,100
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,400 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$655
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $498 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
41.4%
−19.7 ptssince 2000
from 61.1% in 2000
41.6% rent
Vacancy rate
13.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
30.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 31.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.8
+34%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rockford on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic68.4%(102,678)
Black17.2%(25,822)
Hispanic / Latino10.2%(15,278)
Asian2.2%(3,256)
Other0%
Diversity Score58.8%(88,232)
2010
White, non-Hispanic58.4%(89,349)
Black20.1%(30,695)
Hispanic / Latino15.8%(24,085)
Asian2.9%(4,390)
Other2.6%(3,955)
Diversity Score73.7%(112,672)
Diversity Score
74
+25%since 2000
from 59 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
80.3%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 77.8% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
7.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.6 min
+58%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
81.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 82.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
10.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
28.1%
−32.9 ptssince 2009
from 61.1% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
10.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
9.6%
−38.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Rockford

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Pop 149,440
Springfield
Pop 154,702
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Pop 157,556
Athens
Pop 128,612
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Compare Rockford to nearby cities

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ROCKFORD VS
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ROCKFORD VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Rockford, Illinois?

Rockford, Illinois has about 152,871 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rockford, Illinois?

The typical household in Rockford, Illinois earns about $38,573 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rockford, Illinois expensive?

In Rockford, Illinois, the median home is worth about $109,100, and the typical rent is about $655 a month.

How educated are people in Rockford, Illinois?

About 20.6% of adults age 25 and over in Rockford, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rockford, Illinois?

About 23.3% of people in Rockford, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rockford, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Rockford, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 13,445 residents, a change of about 10 percent over that period.

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

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