Rochelle, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rochelle, Illinois had a total population of 9,529, the 231st largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $66,307, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Rochelle Quick Facts
How Rochelle Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,477 | 9,529 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $63,373 | $66,307 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $153,000 | $164,300 | +7.4% |
How Rochelle Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rochelle Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Ogle County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 3,851 | $71,841 | 14.8% | $142,600 |
| Byron | 3,743 | $78,852 | 10.5% | $198,700 |
| Davis Junction | 2,757 | $107,833 | 8.6% | $205,500 |
| Mount Morris | 2,726 | $45,726 | 13.8% | $121,800 |
| Polo | 2,495 | $63,080 | 20.5% | $109,600 |
| Hillcrest | 1,824 | $80,568 | 9.6% | $164,200 |
| Forreston | 1,360 | $70,676 | 5.7% | $129,900 |
| Stillman Valley | 1,260 | $87,833 | 8.6% | $175,800 |
| Lost Nation | 714 | $108,964 | 4.3% | $236,300 |
| Creston | 550 | $66,667 | 9.1% | $167,400 |
Cities Similar to Rochelle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steger | 9,418 | $66,575 | $156,700 | 17.8% | 12.6% |
| Harvard | 9,598 | $67,617 | $175,400 | 18.7% | 11.8% |
| Sauk Village | 9,678 | $69,973 | $110,800 | 20.0% | 17.6% |
| Bethalto | 9,239 | $64,775 | $168,900 | 30.4% | 12.3% |
| LaSalle | 9,498 | $57,732 | $113,500 | 16.8% | 18.8% |
Population Overview
Rochelle is a small city located in Illinois, within Ogle County. The total population is 9,529. It ranks as the 231st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rochelle is 36.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rochelle is $66,307. This is 20% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.9%. This is 33% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 40% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $164,300. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Rochelle is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rochelle is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.9%. The Black or African American population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
18.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rochelle, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rochelle, Illinois?
Rochelle, Illinois has a population of 9,529 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rochelle, IL?
The median household income in Rochelle is $66,307, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rochelle, IL?
The poverty rate in Rochelle is 7.9%. This means approximately 742 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rochelle, Illinois?
Rochelle's population is 64.7% White, 4.3% Black, 26.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rochelle, IL?
The median home value in Rochelle is $164,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Rochelle, Illinois?
18.6% of adults (25+) in Rochelle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.