City · Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford, city, mostly in Winnebago County (100.0% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Ogle County, Illinois. Rockford had 147,384 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 148,655 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 147,521 (±271). GEOID 1765000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
147,384
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 148,655 · ACS 2020-2024: 147,521 ±271
Median household income
$54,752
±$2,248 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$129,000
±$4,930 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$985
±$19 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is Rockford and what county is it in?
Rockford is a city mostly in Winnebago County (100.0% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Ogle County, Illinois. It covers 65.3 square miles of land, 2,276 residents per square mile in 2020.
Rockford is in the Rockford, IL metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Rockford lies mostly within Rockford Township and reaches into Cherry Valley Township, towns or townships with their own local government (2020 census blocks).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Winnebago County | 148,653 | 100.0% |
| Ogle County | 2 | 0.0% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Rockford, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 147,384 people lived in Rockford on July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, in line with Illinois (−0.8%). The 2020 Census counted 148,655 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 147,521 (±271).
| Measure | Rockford | Winnebago County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 147,521 ±271 | 283,292 | +451 |
| Households | 61,324 ±883 | 116,014 | +1,773 |
| Average household size | 2.34 ±0.03 | 2.41 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 67,423 ±790 | 125,002 | no clear change |
Rockford's population since 2000
From 150,115 in 2000 to 147,384 in 2025: down 1.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Rockford as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rockford?
The median resident of Rockford is 37.7 years old; 24.2% are under 18 and 17.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 49.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 21.6%. 12.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rockford | Winnebago County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.7 ±0.7 | 39.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.2% ±0.6 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.8% ±0.5 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Male | 48.5% ±0.5 pts | 48.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 21.6% ±0.8 pts | 15.5% | +3.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 49.6% ±1.0 pts | 63.8% | −3.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 19.2% ±0.9 pts | 11.6% | −1.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.7% ±0.4 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.5% ±0.6 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.6% ±0.9 pts | 8.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 22.1% ±1.3 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.6% ±0.6 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 17.5% ±0.8 pts | 15.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.2% ±0.7 pts | 6.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.9% ±1.1 pts | 88.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.5% ±1.1 pts | 25.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.0% ±0.7 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.2% ±1.3 pts | 87.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6% ±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Rockford earn?
Half of Rockford's 61,324 households earn less than $54,752 a year (±$2,248), against $65,837 in Winnebago County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $54,461 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 21.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rockford | Winnebago County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,752 ±$2,248 | $65,837 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,515 ±$2,385 | $86,473 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,263 ±$951 | $35,697 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 21.3% ±1.6 pts | 15.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 30.6% ±3.8 pts | 22.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 27.9% ±1.4 pts | 20.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.4% ±1.0 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.6% ±1.3 pts | 88.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Rockford?
Owners occupy 54.9% of Rockford's occupied homes and renters 45.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $129,000 by its owner (±$4,930). The median renter pays $985 a month including utilities, and 45.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rockford | Winnebago County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $129,000 ±$4,930 | $164,500 | +$16,268 |
| Median gross rent | $985 ±$19 | $1,021 | +$35 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.0% ±2.6 pts | 40.6% | +3.7 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,279 ±$41 | $1,411 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 54.9% ±1.4 pts | 65.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 45.1% ±1.4 pts | 34.1% | – |
| Housing units | 67,423 ±790 | 125,002 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1% ±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.2% ±1.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.5% ±1.2 pts | 70.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.6% ±0.3 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.5% ±0.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 22.4% ±1.1 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.7% ±1.1 pts | 8.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Rockford building?
Builders took permits for 124 new housing units in Rockford in 2025 (124 in single-family houses), 0.8 per 1,000 residents against 1.5 across Illinois.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rockford work and get to work?
74.3% of Rockford's workers drive alone and 10.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.5%.
| Measure | Rockford | Winnebago County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.3% ±1.1 pts | 61.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.5% ±1.0 pts | 7.3% | −2.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 74.3% ±1.5 pts | 76.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.7% ±1.1 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.3% ±0.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.1% ±1.1 pts | 9.8% | +6.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.9 min ±0.9 | 23.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Rockford?
49 census tracts lie mostly in Rockford, and 11 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $19,203 (Tract 11) to $112,386 (Tract 5.06).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 16Winnebago County | 5,534 | $46,964 |
| Tract 15Winnebago County | 5,468 | $48,129 |
| Tract 34Winnebago County | 4,754 | $60,712 |
| Tract 6Winnebago County | 4,697 | $71,250 |
| Tract 18Winnebago County | 4,689 | $31,571 |
| Tract 33Winnebago County | 4,102 | $47,031 |
| Tract 14Winnebago County | 4,024 | $36,372 |
| Tract 5.02Winnebago County | 4,020 | $52,720 |
| Tract 4.03Winnebago County | 4,361 | $77,424 |
| Tract 5.10Winnebago County | 3,495 | $111,138 |
| Tract 5.01Winnebago County | 5,350 | $77,768 |
| Tract 5.16Winnebago County | 3,823 | $101,500 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Rockford) · Census block assignment files
How does Rockford compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Rockford is the 192nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 5th-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
Rockford ranks 1,207th of 1,380 places in Illinois with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 5th | 1,294 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 456th | 1,347 |
| Residents per square mile | 233rd | 1,383 |
| Median household income | 1,207th | 1,380 |
| Per capita income | 1,120th | 1,383 |
| Median home value | 961st | 1,379 |
| Median gross rent | 588th | 1,280 |
| Poverty rate | 103rd | 1,119 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 700th | 1,369 |
| Median age | 1,080th | 1,383 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,332nd | 1,382 |
| Work from home | 587th | 1,015 |
| Travel time to work | 1,002nd | 1,382 |
Rockford's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Rockford with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Rockford?
3 of the 57 figures for Rockford on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Rockford are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Rockford.