Rock Falls city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Rock Falls city is a small city located in Illinois. The total population is 8,683. It ranks as the 251st most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Rock Falls city is 39.9 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Rock Falls city is $48,733. This is 40% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.7%. This is 94% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $82,400. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Rock Falls city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Rock Falls city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.0%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Rock Falls city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.