Rockford, IL

Full City Profile · Illinois · Winnebago County County

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
147,649 Population 2,261/sq mi density
$53,328 Median Income $30,409 per capita
$120,900 Home Value $186,897 Zillow
$954 Median Rent 31.6% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
1,083 Violent Crime/100K 2,563 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$53,328 median income, 8.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$120,900 home value, $954/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,083 violent crimes/100K (185% above avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Rockford experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.2 inches. The area receives 37.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.4°F
9% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation732 ft (223 m)
Area62.0 sq mi (160.5 km²)
Population Density2,261/sq mi
Coordinates42.2588°N, 89.0646°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyWinnebago County County
Nearest AirportChicago/Rockford International (RFD)
5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.2"
2% below US avg
Snowfall 37.1"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.23"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.60"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood
Good Days %69.0%
Unhealthy Days3

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0475 ppm
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)10.2 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score92.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability38.9 / 100
Community Resilience68.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

8 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 90 km
Feb 10, 2010 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois M3.8 57 km
Sep 2, 1999 8 km W of Amboy, Illinois M3.5 67 km
Nov 4, 2013 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois M3.2 114 km
Jul 15, 2024 2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois M3.1 74 km
Mar 25, 2015 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois M2.9 58 km
Jun 10, 2013 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois M2.6 55 km
Mar 15, 2025 6 km W of Dwight, Illinois M2.6 139 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

606 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 73 fatalities, 1,372 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990 EF5 87 km 29
Apr 9, 2015 EF4 49 km 2
Apr 27, 1984 EF4 98 km 1
Mar 29, 1981 EF4 98 km 0
Sep 28, 1972 EF4 98 km 0
Apr 21, 1967 EF4 67 km 1
Apr 21, 1967 EF4 13 km 24
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 57 km 6
Jun 20, 2021 EF3 92 km 0
Jun 16, 2014 EF3 92 km 0
Jan 7, 2008 EF3 69 km 0
Jan 7, 2008 EF3 24 km 0
Aug 18, 2005 EF3 79 km 1
Jun 17, 1992 EF3 79 km 0
Apr 27, 1984 EF3 100 km 1
Jun 5, 1980 EF3 100 km 0
Aug 5, 1979 EF3 50 km 0
Jun 30, 1977 EF3 76 km 0
Mar 12, 1976 EF3 92 km 0
Apr 16, 1967 EF3 77 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

2 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: RX-HWY Y - SOUTH (553 ac, 2024).

Year Name Acres Distance
2024 RX-HWY Y - SOUTH 553 83 km
2009 COLD SPRINGS 552 65 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 22°F (-6°C) 1.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 26°F (-4°C) 1.6 in
March 37°F (3°C) 2.4 in
April 49°F (10°C) 3.8 in
May 60°F (16°C) 4.2 in
June 70°F (21°C) 5.2 in Wettest
July 74°F (23°C) 3.8 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 4.2 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.6 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.6 in
November 39°F (4°C) 2.3 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 1.9 in

Rockford has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 22°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.2") and January the driest (1.6").

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