Rock Falls, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rock Falls, Illinois had a total population of 8,587, the 252nd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $49,600, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Rock Falls Quick Facts
How Rock Falls 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 | 8,683 | 8,587 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $48,733 | $49,600 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $82,400 | $83,900 | +1.8% |
How Rock Falls 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+)
Rock Falls Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Whiteside County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | 14,717 | $57,350 | 15.3% | $108,700 |
| Morrison | 3,739 | $69,089 | 8.1% | $118,000 |
| Fulton | 3,709 | $45,581 | 14.8% | $121,700 |
| Prophetstown | 1,903 | $65,125 | 11.7% | $116,600 |
| Erie | 1,614 | $82,760 | 3.0% | $151,900 |
| Albany | 776 | $62,857 | 4.0% | $148,800 |
| Tampico | 565 | $56,250 | 13.0% | $86,000 |
| Como | 535 | $63,750 | 20.6% | $175,700 |
| Lyndon | 433 | $60,104 | 4.4% | $113,500 |
| Galt | 213 | $112,569 | 4.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Rock Falls
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 8,276 | $53,927 | $75,700 | 16.8% | 12.5% |
| Harrisburg | 8,372 | $43,415 | $84,100 | 15.8% | 29.0% |
| Olney | 8,577 | $59,980 | $99,800 | 21.2% | 14.2% |
| Monmouth | 8,581 | $61,138 | $86,800 | 18.3% | 17.7% |
| Round Lake Park | 7,919 | $55,813 | $164,900 | 16.5% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Rock Falls is a small city located in Illinois, within Whiteside County. The total population is 8,587. It ranks as the 252nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rock Falls is 37.7 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rock Falls is $49,600. This is 41% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.6%. This is 117% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 6.6%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $83,900. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Rock Falls is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rock Falls is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.7%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
13.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rock Falls, 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 Rock Falls, Illinois?
Rock Falls, Illinois has a population of 8,587 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rock Falls, IL?
The median household income in Rock Falls is $49,600, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rock Falls, IL?
The poverty rate in Rock Falls is 25.6%. This means approximately 2,162 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rock Falls, Illinois?
Rock Falls's population is 74.4% White, 0.4% Black, 21.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rock Falls, IL?
The median home value in Rock Falls is $83,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Rock Falls, Illinois?
13.4% of adults (25+) in Rock Falls hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.