Rock Island, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rock Island, Illinois had a total population of 36,151, the 51st largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $59,041, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.0%.
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 2.1x.
Rock Island Quick Facts
How Rock Island 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 | 36,758 | 36,151 | -1.7% |
| Median household income | $57,292 | $59,041 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $118,400 | $125,900 | +6.3% |
How Rock Island 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rock Island Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Rock Island County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moline | 42,197 | $67,701 | 15.5% | $146,300 |
| East Moline | 20,904 | $61,779 | 19.8% | $134,600 |
| Silvis | 7,955 | $62,375 | 15.4% | $161,600 |
| Milan | 5,034 | $62,597 | 12.3% | $119,300 |
| Coal Valley | 4,229 | $106,850 | 3.9% | $215,700 |
| Carbon Cliff | 2,151 | $55,536 | 19.1% | $134,600 |
| Hampton | 1,926 | $90,406 | 4.7% | $184,900 |
| Port Byron | 1,854 | $111,667 | 7.3% | $278,200 |
| Andalusia | 1,021 | $77,222 | 4.8% | $168,000 |
| Rapids City | 980 | $83,125 | 3.3% | $203,700 |
Cities Similar to Rock Island
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calumet City | 35,100 | $55,369 | $145,200 | 21.4% | 23.4% |
| Quincy | 39,109 | $56,480 | $153,200 | 27.8% | 16.7% |
| Pekin | 31,781 | $60,790 | $120,700 | 17.9% | 12.8% |
| Belleville | 41,370 | $63,535 | $141,300 | 28.0% | 14.6% |
| North Chicago | 30,643 | $60,172 | $159,600 | 20.8% | 24.5% |
Population Overview
Rock Island is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Rock Island County. The total population is 36,151. It ranks as the 51st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rock Island is 37.4 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rock Island is $59,041. This is 29% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.0%. This is 78% 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 6.3%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $125,900. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Rock Island is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rock Island is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.6%.
Education
24.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 90.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rock Island, 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 Island, Illinois?
Rock Island, Illinois has a population of 36,151 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rock Island, IL?
The median household income in Rock Island is $59,041, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rock Island, IL?
The poverty rate in Rock Island is 21.0%. This means approximately 6,943 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rock Island, Illinois?
Rock Island's population is 62.5% White, 15.6% Black, 13.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rock Island, IL?
The median home value in Rock Island is $125,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Rock Island, Illinois?
24.5% of adults (25+) in Rock Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.