County · Illinois
Winnebago County, Illinois
Winnebago County, Illinois. Winnebago County had 283,674 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.6% since 2020, in line with Illinois (−0.8%). It holds 28 places (11 cities, villages and boroughs, 14 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 80 census tracts. GEOID 17201.
Winnebago County is one of the 2 counties of the Rockford, IL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
283,674
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 285,350 · ACS 2020-2024: 283,292
Median household income
$65,837
±$1,162 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$164,500
±$2,551 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$1,021
±$19 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Winnebago County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 285,350 residents in Winnebago County. The Census Bureau estimates 283,674 for July 1, 2025, down 0.6% since 2020, in line with Illinois (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 283,292 over 513 square miles of land.
| Measure | Winnebago County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 283,292 | 12,694,798 | −1,527 |
| Households | 116,014±720 | 5,036,449 | +1,235 |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.01 | 2.46 | −0.03 |
| Housing units | 125,002±107 | 5,457,452 | −705 |
Winnebago County's population since 2000
From 278,418 in 2000 to 283,674 in 2025: up 1.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Winnebago County?
Winnebago County holds 28 places: 11 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 14 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Rockford Township with 168,961 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Rockford Township | 170,478 | $55,922 |
|---|---|---|
| Rockford | 148,655 | $54,752 |
| Harlem Township, Winnebago County | 39,247 | $77,883 |
| Machesney Park | 22,950 | $75,489 |
| Loves Park | 23,397 | $61,868 |
| Roscoe Township | 20,204 | $108,711 |
| Cherry Valley Township | 19,344 | $69,367 |
| Rockton Township | 16,214 | $77,092 |
| Roscoe | 10,983 | $93,036 |
| South Beloit | 7,989 | $78,616 |
| Rockton | 7,863 | $119,058 |
| Winnebago Township | 4,984 | $94,375 |
| Pecatonica Township | 4,168 | $81,012 |
| Owen Township | 3,608 | $95,370 |
| Winnebago | 2,940 | $92,614 |
| Cherry Valley | 2,905 | $74,655 |
| Durand Township | 2,330 | $67,396 |
| Pecatonica | 2,090 | $73,162 |
| Westlake VillageGEOID 1780570 | 1,493 | $116,563 |
| Durand | 1,390 | $65,688 |
| Laona TownshipGEOID 1720142054 | 1,242 | $110,237 |
| Lake Summerset | 2,342 | $108,355 |
| Burritt TownshipGEOID 1720109915 | 1,111 | $100,903 |
| Shirland Township | 963 | $93,750 |
| Seward Township, Winnebago CountyGEOID 1720168783 | 839 | $100,583 |
| New Milford | 794 | $76,458 |
| Harrison TownshipGEOID 1720133188 | 618 | $71,188 |
| ArgyleGEOID 1702050 | 332 | $139,632 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Winnebago County?
The median resident of Winnebago County is 39.6 years old; 23.5% are under 18 and 18.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 63.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 15.5%. 8.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Winnebago County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.6±0.2 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.5% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.5%±0.1 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 15.5% | 18.8% | +2.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 63.8%±0.2 pts | 58.1% | −5.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 11.6%±0.4 pts | 13.3% | −1.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.1 pts | 5.9% | +0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±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 | 5.8%±0.5 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.9%±0.5 pts | 14.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 15.2%±0.7 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1%±0.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 15.3%±0.5 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.2%±0.5 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.8%±0.6 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.2%±0.8 pts | 37.8% | +2.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.4%±0.5 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6%±0.3 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 Winnebago County earn?
Half of Winnebago County's 116,014 households earn less than $65,837 a year (±$1,162), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $67,059 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Winnebago County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,837±$1,162 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $86,473±$1,713 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,697±$709 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.6%±1.0 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.2%±2.3 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.4%±0.8 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.8%±0.8 pts | 90.8% | – |
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 Winnebago County?
Owners occupy 65.9% of Winnebago County's occupied homes and renters 34.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $164,500 by its owner (±$2,551). The median renter pays $1,021 a month including utilities, and 40.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Winnebago County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $164,500±$2,551 | $263,300 | +$16,324 |
| Median gross rent | $1,021±$19 | $1,274 | +$38 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.6%±2.0 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,411±$22 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.9%±0.9 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 125,002±107 | 5,457,452 | −705 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.6%±0.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.4%±0.9 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.5%±0.7 pts | 20.2% | – |
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 Winnebago County building?
Builders took permits for 309 new housing units across Winnebago County in 2025 (309 single-family), 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Winnebago County get to work?
76.8% of Winnebago County's workers drive alone and 9.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.3%.
| Measure | Winnebago County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.5%±0.7 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3%±0.7 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.8%±1.1 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.2%±0.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.8%±0.7 pts | 15.9% | +6.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.0 min±0.6 | 27.8 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 are Winnebago County's census tracts?
Winnebago County is divided into 80 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $19,203 (Tract 11) to $123,618 (Tract 40.05).
All 80 census tracts of Winnebago County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Winnebago County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 7th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 23rd of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 6th of 102 |
| Median household income | 59th of 102 |
| Median home value | 29th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 17th of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 21st of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28th of 102 |
| Median age | 85th of 102 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Winnebago County 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' school search.