Rock Falls, IL Demographics

A map of Rock Falls's Population by Race

Rock Falls, Illinois has an estimated population of 8,587, a slight decrease from the 8,789 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 74.4% White, 21.7% Hispanic, 2.7% Multiracial, 0.7% Native American/Other, 0.4% Black, and 0.1% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rock Falls, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rock Falls has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Illinois overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Rock Falls, that probability was 41.3% in 2020 and 39.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rock Falls is ranked the 252nd most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Rock Falls was ranked the 247th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Rock Falls's White Population

6,391 residents of Rock Falls, or 74.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rock Falls is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Rock Falls ranks 1197th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Falls's White population has declined by an estimated 2.3%. White residents' share of Rock Falls's population has remained roughly unchanged at 74.4%.

Rock Falls is more White than neighboring Sterling (65.2% White), Galt (64.3% White), and Como (60.6% White). Rock Falls is less White than neighboring Nelson (95.2% White), and Harmon (86% White).

Rock Falls's Black Population

36 residents of Rock Falls, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rock Falls is considerably lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Rock Falls ranks 374th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Falls's Black population has declined by an estimated 78.7%. Black residents' share of Rock Falls's population has decreased from 1.9% to 0.4%.

Rock Falls is more Black than neighboring Galt (0% Black), Nelson (0% Black), and Harmon (0% Black). Rock Falls is less Black than neighboring Sterling (2.2% Black), and Como (6.2% Black).

Rock Falls's Asian Population

5 residents of Rock Falls, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rock Falls is lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Rock Falls ranks 740th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Falls's Asian population has declined by an estimated 85.3%. Asian residents' share of Rock Falls's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Rock Falls is more Asian than neighboring Galt (0% Asian), Como (0% Asian), and Harmon (0% Asian). Rock Falls is less Asian than neighboring Sterling (1.2% Asian), and Nelson (1.6% Asian).

Rock Falls's Hispanic Population

1,863 residents of Rock Falls, or 21.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rock Falls is slightly higher than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Rock Falls ranks 135th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Falls's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 22.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Rock Falls's population has increased from 17.3% to 21.7%.

Rock Falls is more Hispanic than neighboring Como (17.9% Hispanic), Nelson (3.2% Hispanic), and Harmon (10% Hispanic). Rock Falls is less Hispanic than neighboring Sterling (26.8% Hispanic), and Galt (35.7% Hispanic).

Rock Falls's Native American/Other Population

61 residents of Rock Falls, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rock Falls is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Rock Falls ranks 374th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Falls's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 15.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rock Falls's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Rock Falls is more Native American/Other than neighboring Galt (0% Native American/Other), Como (0% Native American/Other), Nelson (0% Native American/Other), and Harmon (0% Native American/Other).

Rock Falls's Multiracial Population

231 residents of Rock Falls, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rock Falls is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Rock Falls ranks 196th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Falls's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 50.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Rock Falls's population has decreased from 5.3% to 2.7%.

Rock Falls is more Multiracial than neighboring Galt (0% Multiracial), and Nelson (0% Multiracial). Rock Falls is less Multiracial than neighboring Sterling (4% Multiracial), Como (15.3% Multiracial), and Harmon (4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.