Rockdale, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rockdale, Illinois had a total population of 2,553, the 456th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $59,135, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Rockdale Quick Facts
How Rockdale 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 | 2,598 | 2,553 | -1.7% |
| Median household income | $56,799 | $59,135 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $183,500 | $188,300 | +2.6% |
How Rockdale 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+)
Rockdale Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Will County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet | 150,445 | $92,201 | 11.1% | $265,800 |
| Plainfield | 46,708 | $144,000 | 4.2% | $431,400 |
| Romeoville | 41,152 | $106,325 | 5.5% | $257,100 |
| Oswego | 36,375 | $123,792 | 2.6% | $344,500 |
| New Lenox | 28,006 | $140,865 | 1.5% | $399,900 |
| Lockport | 26,409 | $111,981 | 6.8% | $316,000 |
| Crest Hill | 20,628 | $73,033 | 12.0% | $232,900 |
| Mokena | 20,021 | $123,889 | 4.5% | $401,400 |
| Shorewood | 18,343 | $122,105 | 5.2% | $337,800 |
| Channahon | 13,927 | $119,494 | 5.9% | $327,900 |
Cities Similar to Rockdale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrollton | 2,479 | $60,455 | $114,000 | 24.3% | 11.8% |
| Polo | 2,495 | $63,080 | $109,600 | 18.0% | 20.5% |
| Tilton | 2,453 | $55,697 | $70,400 | 10.8% | 17.3% |
| Hamilton | 2,714 | $56,895 | $114,100 | 24.2% | 14.2% |
| Rushville | 2,747 | $57,583 | $94,700 | 19.8% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Rockdale is a small community located in Illinois, within Will County. The total population is 2,553. It ranks as the 456th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rockdale is 27.0 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rockdale is $59,135. 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 25.8%. This is 119% 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 8.7%. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $188,300. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 46.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rockdale is Hispanic or Latino, making up 49.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.5%. The Black or African American population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (49.8% vs 18.8%). The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
13.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 83.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rockdale, 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 Rockdale, Illinois?
Rockdale, Illinois has a population of 2,553 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rockdale, IL?
The median household income in Rockdale is $59,135, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rockdale, IL?
The poverty rate in Rockdale is 25.8%. This means approximately 659 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rockdale, Illinois?
Rockdale's population is 39.5% White, 3.3% Black, 49.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rockdale, IL?
The median home value in Rockdale is $188,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Rockdale, Illinois?
13.7% of adults (25+) in Rockdale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.