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Rock Island, TX

Texas

Rock Island is a small town in Texas with a population of 371. Residents earn $38,409 per year, which is 49% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
371 Population 74/sq mi density
$38,409 Median Income $16,920 per capita
$147,600 Home Value
69°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.9 / 5.0
$38,409 median income, 15.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$147,600 home value
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $38,409
49% lower than US avg
Home Value $147,600
48% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.6%
69% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.0%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 15.9%
342% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.2%
55% higher than US avg

How Rock Island Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population371
Median Age39.8 yrs
Density74/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans11.7%

Economy

D
Median Income$38,409
Per Capita$16,920
Unemployment15.9%
Poverty19.2%
County GDP$1,207M
Commute85 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$147,600
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units266
Rent Burden25.1%

Health

Obesity42.0%
Uninsured20.6%
Smoking21.1%
Depression27.0%
Heart Disease7.7%

Climate

Avg Temp69°F (20°C)
AQI42 (Good)
Rain45.0 in/yr
Sunny Days330/yr
Elevation228 ft (69 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.6%
High School+89.4%
Graduate+4.5%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 21%
Commute85 min
Broadband76.9%
Libraries5

Is Rock Island a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rock Island receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, a high uninsured rate. Rock Island has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rock Island is $38,409, 49% below the national average of $75,149. At 15.9%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 19.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 85 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rock Island is $147,600, 48% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

10.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Rock Island enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F. Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. With 330 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Rock Island has a population of 371 with a density of 74 people per square mile. The median age is 39.8 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.4%), with 1.6% Hispanic.

Population

371
Total Population
74
People / sq mi
39.8yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
5.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.4%
Female 45.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Rock Island vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.2%
15% above US avg
Spanish9.8%
27% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rock Island vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rock Island is $38,409, which is 49% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 15.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 19.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 85 minutes.

Income: Rock Island vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$38,409
49% below US avg
Per Capita Income$16,920
Avg Weekly Wage$1,028
IRS Avg AGI$74,367

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment15.9%
342% above US avg
Poverty Rate19.2%
55% above US avg
Establishments (County)643
County GDP$1,207M

Business (County)

Restaurants45
Healthcare48
Retail89
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,234
107% above US avg
Cost of Living97.10 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.90%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time84.7 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Rock Island is $147,600, 48% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$147,600
48% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden25.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$887
1 Bedroom$935
2 Bedrooms$1,149
3 Bedrooms$1,497
4 Bedrooms$1,733

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.4%
Housing Units266
Median Year Built1954

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,234
107% above US avg
Effective Rate4.90%
In Rock Island, 42.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.6% of residents lack health insurance. 21.1% are current smokers. 27.0% report depression. 35.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rock Island vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.0%
31% above US avg
Diabetes14.9%
Heart Disease7.7%
High Blood Pressure38.0%
Asthma11.2%
COPD10.1%
Cancer6.8%
Stroke4.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking21.1%
51% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.9%
Physical Inactivity35.0%
Depression27.0%
Mental Distress22.0%
Physical Distress17.6%
Short Sleep41.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.4%
Uninsured20.6%
140% above US avg
Primary Care1:1,875
Dentists1:4,151
Mental Health1:2,640
Checkup Rate72.3%
Dental Visits39.7%
Premature Death11,859/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access63.6%
Healthcare Facilities48
Rock Island has an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.0 inches. The area enjoys 330 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

51°F Jan (11°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average68.8°F
27% above US avg
January Average51°F (11°C)
July Average84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.0 inches
19% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation228 ft (69 m)
Area5.0 sq mi (13.0 km²)
Population Density74/sq mi
Coordinates29.5138°N, 96.5671°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS48089
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 10.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 57.2-point margin. 76.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.3%
D 21.1%

Winner: Republican by 57.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.6%
69% below US avg
High School+89.4%
Graduate Degree+4.5%
School Test Score5.10
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density74/sq mi
Total Area5.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access76.9%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities48
Restaurants45
Retail Stores89

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute84.7 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Columbus, TX 3,718 pop · 13.2 mi Eagle Lake, TX 3,464 pop · 15.2 mi Weimar, TX 3,240 pop · 18.0 mi Hallettsville, TX 2,744 pop · 23.2 mi Schulenburg, TX 2,702 pop · 23.5 mi El Campo, TX 12,220 pop · 28.0 mi Sealy, TX 6,933 pop · 29.8 mi East Bernard, TX 2,653 pop · 30.3 mi Wharton, TX 8,671 pop · 31.1 mi Wallis, TX 1,557 pop · 31.3 mi Ganado, TX 2,045 pop · 32.8 mi La Grange, TX 4,448 pop · 33.2 mi San Felipe, TX 1,085 pop · 33.8 mi Flatonia, TX 1,741 pop · 34.5 mi
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