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Rock Falls, IL

Full City Profile · Illinois · Whiteside County County

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
8,683 Population 2,182/sq mi density
$48,733 Median Income $31,287 per capita
$82,400 Home Value $117,555 Zillow
$745 Median Rent 31.0% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
80 Violent Crime/100K 903 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$48,733 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$82,400 home value, $745/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
80 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Rock Falls experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 40.5 inches. The area receives 31.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.4°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation649 ft (198 m)
Area3.8 sq mi (9.8 km²)
Population Density2,182/sq mi
Coordinates41.7721°N, 89.6942°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyWhiteside County County
Nearest AirportIllinois Valley Regional-Walter A Duncan Field (VYS)
40 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 40.5"
7% above US avg
Snowfall 31.2"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.65"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.38"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score65.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability43.6 / 100
Community Resilience81.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

7 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.2. Most recent: M2.6 on Mar 15, 2025.

Jun 28, 2004 12 km NW of Dayton, Illinois M4.2 75 km
Feb 10, 2010 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois M3.8 101 km
Sep 2, 1999 8 km W of Amboy, Illinois M3.5 22 km
Jul 15, 2024 2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois M3.1 83 km
Mar 25, 2015 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois M2.9 119 km
Jun 10, 2013 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois M2.6 101 km
Mar 15, 2025 6 km W of Dwight, Illinois M2.6 125 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

604 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 41 fatalities, 708 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Apr 9, 2015 EF4 35 km 2
Mar 29, 1981 EF4 24 km 0
Apr 21, 1967 EF4 81 km 24
Feb 28, 2017 EF3 100 km 0
Feb 28, 2017 EF3 80 km 2
Jan 7, 2008 EF3 99 km 0
Apr 20, 2004 EF3 68 km 8
May 9, 1995 EF3 53 km 0
May 9, 1995 EF3 100 km 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 52 km 0
May 8, 1988 EF3 90 km 0
Aug 5, 1979 EF3 29 km 0
Jun 30, 1977 EF3 62 km 0
Mar 4, 1976 EF3 64 km 0
Jun 20, 1974 EF3 53 km 1
Jun 14, 1974 EF3 92 km 0
May 13, 1974 EF3 77 km 0
Jul 17, 1972 EF3 78 km 0
Apr 16, 1967 EF3 85 km 0
Jan 24, 1967 EF3 42 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 21°F (-6°C) 1.4 in Coldest
February 25°F (-4°C) 1.4 in Driest
March 37°F (3°C) 2.6 in
April 49°F (9°C) 3.7 in
May 61°F (16°C) 4.5 in
June 70°F (21°C) 4.7 in Wettest
July 74°F (23°C) 3.7 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 4.4 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.5 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.8 in
November 38°F (3°C) 2.7 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 2.1 in

Rock Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (1.4").

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