Rockford, IL

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

339,063

0.634% 1-year growth

US Senator

Dick Durbin

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tammy Duckworth

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

39.5

0.504% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

14.8%

1.66% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$59,559

4.67% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$132,000

4.18% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

157,190

0.0731% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Rockford, IL had a population of 339k people with a median age of 39.5 and a median household income of $59,559. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Rockford, IL grew from 336,928 to 339,063, a 0.634% increase and its median household income grew from $56,899 to $59,559, a 4.67% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Rockford, IL are White (Non-Hispanic) (67.9%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (11.2%), White (Hispanic) (8.11%), Other (Hispanic) (3.6%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.11%).

None of the households in Rockford, IL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.2% of the residents in Rockford, IL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Rockford, IL are Rock Valley College (1,460 degrees awarded in 2021), Rasmussen University-Illinois (1,107 degrees), and Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College (403 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Rockford, IL was $132,000, and the homeownership rate was 68.2%.

Most people in Rockford, IL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Rockford, IL was 2 cars per household.

Rockford, IL borders Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI, Freeport, IL, Janesville-Beloit, WI, Madison, WI, Rochelle, IL, and Whitewater-Elkhorn, WI.

About the photo: Veteran's Memorial Hall Rockford, Il

Photo by EarlRShumaker

United States Illinois

Population & Diversity

Rockford, IL is home to a population of 339k people, from which 95.2% are citizens. As of 2021, 9.05% of Rockford, IL residents were born outside of the country (30.7k people).

In 2021, there were 6.07 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (230k people) in Rockford, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 37.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 27.5k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.2%

2021 Citizenship

95.2%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 95.2% of Rockford, IL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Rockford, IL was 95.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Rockford, IL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Rockford, IL

White (Non-Hispanic)
230k ± 366
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
37.9k ± 875
White (Hispanic)
27.5k ± 1.78k

15%

Hispanic Population

50.9k people

15% of the people in Rockford, IL are hispanic (50.9k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Rockford, IL as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Illinois.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
630,004 ± 19,002 people
India
162,094 ± 9,822 people
Poland
126,931 ± 8,704 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Illinois was Mexico, the natal country of 630,004 Illinois residents, followed by India with 162,094 and Poland with 126,931.

Foreign-Born Population

9.05%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

30.7k people

8.79%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

29.6k people

As of 2021, 9.05% of Rockford, IL residents (30.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Rockford, IL was 8.79%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Rockford, IL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
6,971 ± 542
Gulf War (2001-)
2,880 ± 449
Gulf War (1990s)
2,532 ± 402

Rockford, IL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.42 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Rockford, IL employs 157k people. The largest industries in Rockford, IL are Manufacturing (35,411 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (22,683 people), and Retail Trade (17,274 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($92,344), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($84,750), and Public Administration ($61,397).

Males in Illinois have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $61,278. The income inequality in Illinois (measured using the Gini index) is 0.478, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

157k

2021 Value

± 3,072

−0.0731%

1 Year decline

± 2.72%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Rockford, IL declined at a rate of −0.0731%, from 157k employees to 157k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Rockford, IL, are Production Occupations (20,045 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (17,475 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (14,954 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Rockford, IL.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Illinois (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

157k

2021 Value

± 3,072

−0.0731%

1 Year decline

± 2.72%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Rockford, IL declined at a rate of −0.0731%, from 157k employees to 157k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Rockford, IL, are Manufacturing (35,411 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (22,683 people), and Retail Trade (17,274 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Rockford, IL, though some of these residents may live in Rockford, IL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$45,745

Median earning men ± $1,861

$31,352

Median earning women ± $828

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($81,209), Wholesale Trade ($58,615), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($54,313).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($46,290), Construction ($41,840), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($41,697).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Illinois. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Illinois.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

3,215
Manufacturing
2,592
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,755
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$8.21M
Manufacturing
$2.67M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$897k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Illinois to other states, or from other states to Illinois.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Illinois product (by dollars) was Electronics with $134B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($110B) and Mixed freight ($86.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Illinois products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Illinois.

$1T

2020 Value in Illinois

$1.94T

Projected 2050 Value in Illinois

93.1% growth

In 2020, total outbound Illinois trade was $1T. This is expected to increase 93.1% to $1.94T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Illinois trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Illinois to other states, or from other states to Illinois.

Most Common Trade Partners

Indiana
$79.7B
Wisconsin
$55.8B
Michigan
$41.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Illinois domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Indiana with $79.7B, followed by Wisconsin with $55.8B and Michigan and $41.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Illinois shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Illinois went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 57.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (40.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.1%).

Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are the senators currently representing the state of Illinois. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Illinois is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Rockford, IL. Showing the available data for Illinois.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (57.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (40.6%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.1%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Illinois went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 57.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (40.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.1%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Illinois for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Illinois

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

Dick Durbin

Senator from Illinois

Assumed office on January 3, 1997

Tammy Duckworth

Senator from Illinois

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are the senators currently representing Illinois.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Illinois over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Illinois

Illinois is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Illinois have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Rockford, IL awarded 3,535 degrees. The student population of Rockford, IL in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 6,576 male students and 14,122 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Rockford, IL are White (1,888 and 53.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (620 and 17.7%), Black or African American (531 and 15.2%), and Unknown (236 and 6.74%).

The largest universities in Rockford, IL by number of degrees awarded are Rock Valley College (1,460 and 41.3%), Rasmussen University-Illinois (1,107 and 31.3%), and Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College (403 and 11.4%).

The most popular majors in Rockford, IL are Registered Nursing (660 and 18.7%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (568 and 16.1%), and Biological & Physical Sciences (146 and 4.13%).

The median tuition cost in Rockford, IL for private four year colleges is $30,059.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Rockford, IL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 66.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 17.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 20,698 (31.8% men and 68.2% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 20,698 students enrolled in Rockford, IL, 31.8% men and 68.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 9,634 records, of which 64% were women and 36% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
501 degree-majors awarded
Biological & Physical Sciences
146 degree-majors awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
568 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Rockford, IL was Registered Nursing with 501 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Rockford, IL according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Rock Valley College
1,460 degrees awarded
Rasmussen University-Illinois
1,107 degrees awarded
Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College
403 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Rock Valley College with 1,460 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,030 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Rockford, IL, which is 0.411 times less than the 2,505 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,888 degrees mean that there were 3.05 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 620 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($30,059) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($2,163) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,600) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

Measure

In 2021, 0.977% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.946% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.61M), Some college (2.19M), and Bachelors Degree (2.07M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Rockford, IL was $132,000 in 2021, which is 0.539 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $126,700 to $132,000, a 4.18% increase. The homeownership rate in Rockford, IL is 68.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Rockford, IL have an average commute time of 23.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Rockford, IL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Rockford, IL is $59,559. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Rockford, IL was Kendall County, IL with a value of $101,816, followed by DuPage County, IL and Lake County, IL, with respective values of $100,292 and $97,127.

Housing

Property

$132,000

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,127

$91,449

Median Property Taxes

±$1,963

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Rockford, IL the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Rockford, IL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

68.2%

Homeownership

2021

61.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 68.2% of the housing units in Rockford, IL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 67.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Rockford, IL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Rockford, IL was Kendall County, IL with a value of $101,816, followed by DuPage County, IL and Lake County, IL, with respective values of $100,292 and $97,127.

The following map shows all of the counties in Rockford, IL colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$59,559

Median Household Income

± $1,133

134k

Number of Households

± 2,834

In 2021, the median household income of the 134k households in Rockford, IL grew to $59,559 from the previous year's value of $56,899.

The following chart displays the households in Rockford, IL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Rockford, IL is from Illinois.

0.478

2021 Wage GINI in Illinois

0.479

2020 Wage GINI in Illinois

In 2021, the income inequality in Illinois was 0.478 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0522% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Illinois was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Illinois in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Illinois across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (81%)
Carpooled (9.76%)
Worked At Home (6.01%)

In 2021, 81% of workers in Rockford, IL drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.76%) and those who worked at home (6.01%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

23.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Rockford, IL have a shorter commute time (23.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.92% of the workforce in Rockford, IL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Rockford, IL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Rockford, IL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Rockford, IL have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

14.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Rockford, IL (49.5k out of 334k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Rockford, IL is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

93.6% of the population of Rockford, IL has health coverage, with 46.8% on employee plans, 21% on Medicaid, 14% on Medicare, 10.8% on non-group plans, and 1.01% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Illinois was $8,262 in 2014. This is a 4.44% increase from the previous year ($7,911).

Primary care physicians in Illinois see 1231 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.806% decrease from the previous year (1241 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1221 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 372 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

1,231 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Illinois

Primary care physicians in Illinois see an average of 1,231 patients per year. This represents a 0.806% decrease from the previous year (1,241 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Illinois in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.2% under 18 years, 19.4% between 18 and 34 years, 38.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 17% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.39%

Uninsured

46.8%

Employer Coverage

21%

Medicaid

14%

Medicare

10.8%

Non-Group

1.01%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Rockford, IL grew by 7.16% from 5.96% to 6.39%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Rockford, IL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.