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METRO AREA · 2020 ACS

Rockford Metro

Rockford, IL · 2 counties · 338,798 residents · 793.791 sq mi
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The short version

Rockford has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $57,690. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $127,584.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 10%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
338,798
+6%since 2000
from 320,204 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
427 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 403 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.0
+12%since 2000
from 35.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
277K297K317K336K356K1990201020202024Rockford
2024337K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,690
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,997 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,330
+43%since 2000
from $21,246 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
37.4%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 28.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.6%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade22.8%
US avg: 10%
Information11.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$127,584
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $94,815 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$834
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $516 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
67.3%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 71.1% in 2000
32.7% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+5%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-Hispanic80.1%(256,353)
Black9.2%(29,390)
Hispanic / Latino7.6%(24,425)
Asian1.5%(4,922)
Other0%
Diversity Score40.4%(129,332)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic64.9%(219,924)
Black11.6%(39,411)
Hispanic / Latino15.9%(53,832)
Asian2.5%(8,575)
Other3.1%(10,431)
Diversity Score65%(220,075)
Segregation Score40.2%(136,161)
Diversity Score
65
+61%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
40
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.2%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 18.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.6%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 81.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.4%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.8 min
+67%since 2000
from 14.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 84.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.7%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 11.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 65.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.9%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
51.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
8.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.0%
−81.5 ptssince 2013
from 87.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
In this metro

Principal cities

RockfordCENTRAL147,384
What's inside

2 component counties

Winnebago CountyCENTRAL283,674Boone CountyCENTRAL53,568
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Rockford

Clarksville
Pop 349,001
South Bend
Pop 324,538
Roanoke
Pop 316,547
Waco
Pop 308,807
Places similar to Rockford
Head to head

Compare Rockford side by side

ROCKFORD VS
Clarksville
Income$70,081+21%
Home value$250,970+97%
Population349,001+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROCKFORD VS
South Bend
Income$67,435+17%
Home value$196,800+54%
Population324,538−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROCKFORD VS
Roanoke
Income$70,385+22%
Home value$244,820+92%
Population316,547−6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROCKFORD VS
Waco
Income$66,246+15%
Home value$233,362+83%
Population308,807−8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rockford, IL?

Rockford, IL has about 338,798 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rockford, IL?

The typical household in Rockford, IL earns about $57,690 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rockford, IL expensive?

In Rockford, IL, the median home is worth about $127,584, and the typical rent is about $834 a month.

How educated are people in Rockford, IL?

About 23.2% of adults age 25 and over in Rockford, IL hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rockford, IL?

About 14.6% of people in Rockford, IL live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rockford, IL grown since 1990?

Yes, Rockford, IL has grown since 1990. The population has added about 55,079 residents, a change of about 19 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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