Living in Rockford, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Rockford · Census data 2020–2024
Rockford has 147,521 residents with a median age of 37.7. The median household income is $54,752 (34% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $129,000, the median rent is $985/month.
Rockford at a glance
- Population
- 147,521
- Median age
- 37.7State: 39
- Median household income
- $54,752State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $129,000State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $985/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 54.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23.5%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Rockford a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 34% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 8.5%; a poverty rate of 21.3%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Rockford
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Rockford the median home value is $129,000, 61% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $985 per month, which is 32.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,279 a month in housing costs.
Rockford median household income
The median household income in Rockford is $54,752 and the income per person is $31,263. 21.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Rockford: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 67,423
- Owner-occupied
- 54.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 45.1%
- Vacant
- 9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1963
- Average household size
- 2.34
Rockford demographics
- Population
- 147,521
- Median age
- 37.7
- Under 18
- 24.2%
- 65 and older
- 17.8%
- Households
- 61,324
- Foreign-born
- 12.6%
- Veterans
- 5.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Rockford ›
Education in Rockford
23.5% of adults 25 and older in Rockford have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Rockford
- Unemployment rate
- 8.5%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 10.1%
- Drive alone
- 74.3%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 1.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.6%
Rockford vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford | 147,521 | $54,752 | $129,000 | $985 |
| Cherry Valley | 3,749 | $74,655 | $232,800 | $1,024 |
| New Milford | 1,194 | $76,458 | $132,500 | $744 |
| Loves Park | 23,502 | $61,868 | $160,400 | $1,120 |
| Machesney Park | 22,630 | $75,489 | $173,700 | $1,102 |
| Winnebago | 2,981 | $92,614 | $194,000 | $992 |
| Belvidere | 24,752 | $64,528 | $158,900 | $991 |
| Argyle | 324 | $139,632 | $277,400 | — |
| Davis Junction | 2,757 | $107,833 | $205,500 | $1,250 |
More for people moving to Rockford
Rockford ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Rockford: FAQ
What is the median household income in Rockford, IL?
The median household income in Rockford is $54,752, 34% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Rockford?
The median home value in Rockford is $129,000, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Rockford?
The median gross rent in Rockford is $985 per month, about 32.1% of household income.
Is Rockford, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes. Minuses: median household income 34% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 8.5%; a poverty rate of 21.3%.
What is the median age in Rockford?
The median age in Rockford is 37.7 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Rockford?
The average commute to work in Rockford is 22 minutes; 10.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Rockford?
The unemployment rate in Rockford is 8.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Rockford?
23.5% of adults in Rockford have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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