At a Glance
Median Income
$53,328
$30,409 per capita
Home Value
$120,900
Zillow: $186,897
Median Rent
$954/mo
31.6% of income on rent
Violent Crime
1,083/100K
2,563/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
23.2%
84.9% high school+
Unemployment
8.6%
16.7% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
45.2%
18.7% smoking rate
How Rockford Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Rockford's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Rockford a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.8 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Rockford residents earn a median household income of $53,328 , which is 29% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $30,409. The unemployment rate stands at 8.6% (139% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 16.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 5,870 business establishments, including 623 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Rockford is $120,900 , 57% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $186,897. Median rent is $954/month, with 31.6% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 100.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1962.
Safety & Crime
Rockford reports 1,083 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 185% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,563/100K. The murder rate is 13.1/100K.
Education
23.2% of adults in Rockford hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(31% below the national average).
84.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.7/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Rockford has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C).
Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Data Overview
People
Population147,649
Median Age37.5 yrs
Density2,261/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born12.3%
Veterans6.2%
Economy
C+
Median Income$53,328
Per Capita$30,409
Unemployment8.6%
Poverty16.7%
County GDP$18,798M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,142
Housing
A+
Home Value$120,900
Rent$954
Ownership53.8%
Zillow$186,897
Housing Units67,890
Rent Burden31.6%
Crime
F
Violent1,083/100K
Property2,563/100K
Murder13.1/100K
Assault891/100K
Burglary631/100K
Health
Obesity45.2%
Diabetes14.0%
Smoking18.7%
Heart Disease6.4%
Premature Death11,176/100K
Climate
Avg Temp49°F
Rain37.2 in/yr
AQI43 (Good)
Elevation732 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+23.2%
High School+84.9%
Graduate+8.6%
School Score4.7/10
Community
2024 VoteR 49% / D 50%
Commute21 min
Broadband84.9%
Internet Speed101 Mbps
EV Stations22
Libraries12
Did You Know?
Rockford was founded in 1834.
The median home in Rockford was built in 1962.
The nearest airport is Chicago/Rockford International (5 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.452 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
16.7% of the population has a disability.
12.3% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 101 Mbps.
There are 623 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 27 fatal vehicle crashes.