Rock Island, IL Demographics

A map of Rock Island's Population by Race

Rock Island, Illinois has an estimated population of 36,151, a slight decrease from the 37,108 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 62.5% White, 15.6% Black, 13.3% Hispanic, 4.3% Multiracial, 3.8% Asian, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rock Island, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rock Island has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is 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 Island, that probability was 59.6% in 2020 and 56.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rock Island is ranked the 51st 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 Island was ranked the 50th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Rock Island's White Population

22,602 residents of Rock Island, or 62.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rock Island is slightly higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Rock Island ranks 1308th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Island's White population has grown by an estimated 3.2%. White residents' share of Rock Island's population has increased from 59.0% to 62.5%.

Rock Island is more White than neighboring Rock Island Arsenal (38.5% White). Rock Island is less White than neighboring Milan (81.7% White), Oak Grove (92.8% White), Coyne Center (87.8% White), and Davenport (71.2% White).

Rock Island's Black Population

5,643 residents of Rock Island, or 15.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rock Island is slightly higher than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Rock Island ranks 89th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Island's Black population has declined by an estimated 20.9%. Black residents' share of Rock Island's population has decreased from 19.2% to 15.6%.

Rock Island is more Black than neighboring Milan (1.9% Black), Oak Grove (0% Black), Rock Island Arsenal (0.6% Black), Coyne Center (0% Black), and Davenport (11% Black).

Rock Island's Asian Population

1,359 residents of Rock Island, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rock Island is slightly lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Rock Island ranks 138th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Island's Asian population has declined by an estimated 15.2%. Asian residents' share of Rock Island's population has decreased from 4.3% to 3.8%.

Rock Island is more Asian than neighboring Milan (1.4% Asian), Oak Grove (1.8% Asian), Rock Island Arsenal (0% Asian), Coyne Center (0% Asian), and Davenport (1.9% Asian).

Rock Island's Hispanic Population

4,806 residents of Rock Island, or 13.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rock Island is lower than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Rock Island ranks 221st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Island's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 11.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Rock Island's population has increased from 11.6% to 13.3%.

Rock Island is more Hispanic than neighboring Milan (10.7% Hispanic), Oak Grove (2.5% Hispanic), Rock Island Arsenal (7.7% Hispanic), Coyne Center (2.9% Hispanic), and Davenport (9% Hispanic).

Rock Island's Native American/Other Population

201 residents of Rock Island, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rock Island is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Rock Island ranks 324th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Island's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 14.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rock Island's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Rock Island is more Native American/Other than neighboring Milan (0.3% Native American/Other), Oak Grove (0% Native American/Other), and Coyne Center (0% Native American/Other). Rock Island is less Native American/Other than neighboring Rock Island Arsenal (2.6% Native American/Other), and Davenport (0.8% Native American/Other).

Rock Island's Multiracial Population

1,540 residents of Rock Island, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rock Island is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Rock Island ranks 216th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Island's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 20.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Rock Island's population has decreased from 5.2% to 4.3%.

Rock Island is more Multiracial than neighboring Milan (4% Multiracial), and Oak Grove (2.9% Multiracial). Rock Island is less Multiracial than neighboring Rock Island Arsenal (50.6% Multiracial), Coyne Center (9.3% Multiracial), and Davenport (6.1% 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.