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CITY · 2020 ACS

Rockford

Illinois · 148,655 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 $44,771. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $95,200. The poverty rate of 21.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 35% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 37.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 20%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
148,655
−1%since 2000
from 150,115 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,284 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 2,306 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.1
+8%since 2000
from 34.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
138K143K148K154K159K1990201020202024Rockford
2024148K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,771
−21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,667 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,500
+34%since 2000
from $19,781 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
26.3%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.8%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 14.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade22.2%
US avg: 10%
Information12%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$95,200
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$784
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $498 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
52.8%
−8.3 ptssince 2000
from 61.1% in 2000
47.2% rent
Afford Score
2.1
+1%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic48.7%(72,440)
Black22.5%(33,466)
Hispanic / Latino19.9%(29,583)
Asian3.5%(5,145)
Other3.7%(5,495)
Diversity Score82.3%(122,300)
Diversity Score
82
+40%since 2000
from 59 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.3%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.9%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 77.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.8 min
+67%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 82.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.8%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.6%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 13.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 61.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
27.0%
−34.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
51.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
12.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.0%
−78.2 ptssince 2013
from 85.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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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Head to head

Compare Rockford to nearby cities

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ROCKFORD VS
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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 148,655 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rockford, Illinois?

The typical household in Rockford, Illinois earns about $44,771 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 $95,200, and the typical rent is about $784 a month.

How educated are people in Rockford, Illinois?

About 22.3% 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 21.8% 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 9,229 residents, a change of about 7 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 →