Rockford city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Rockford city is a major urban center located in Illinois. The total population is 147,649. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Rockford city is 37.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Rockford city is $53,328. This is 35% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.9%. This is 87% 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 8.6%. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $120,900. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Rockford city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Rockford city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 21.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (21.1% vs 13.6%).

Education

23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 84.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Rockford 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.