Rockford, IL Demographics

A map of Rockford's Population by Race

Rockford, Illinois has an estimated population of 147,521, a less than 1% change from the 148,655 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 49.6% White, 21.6% Hispanic, 19.2% Black, 5.5% Multiracial, 3.7% Asian, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rockford, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rockford is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably more 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 Rockford, that probability was 66.9% in 2020 and 66.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rockford is ranked the 5th 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). Rockford was ranked the 5th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Rockford's White Population

73,144 residents of Rockford, or 49.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rockford is lower than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Rockford ranks 1360th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rockford's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Rockford's population has increased from 48.7% to 49.6%.

Rockford is less White than neighboring New Milford (71.6% White), Cherry Valley (66.8% White), Loves Park (71% White), Machesney Park (80.2% White), and Davis Junction (83.2% White).

Rockford's Black Population

28,272 residents of Rockford, or 19.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rockford is higher than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Rockford ranks 80th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rockford's Black population has declined by an estimated 15.5%. Black residents' share of Rockford's population has decreased from 22.5% to 19.2%.

Rockford is more Black than neighboring New Milford (0.7% Black), Cherry Valley (7.3% Black), Loves Park (7.1% Black), Machesney Park (2% Black), and Davis Junction (0.5% Black).

Rockford's Asian Population

5,401 residents of Rockford, or 3.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rockford is slightly lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Rockford ranks 157th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rockford's Asian population has grown by an estimated 5.0%. Asian residents' share of Rockford's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.7%.

Rockford is more Asian than neighboring Cherry Valley (1.5% Asian), Loves Park (3% Asian), Machesney Park (2.1% Asian), and Davis Junction (0.1% Asian). Rockford is less Asian than neighboring New Milford (7% Asian).

Rockford's Hispanic Population

31,816 residents of Rockford, or 21.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rockford is slightly higher than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Rockford ranks 112th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rockford's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 7.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Rockford's population has increased from 19.9% to 21.6%.

Rockford is more Hispanic than neighboring New Milford (17% Hispanic), Cherry Valley (16.6% Hispanic), Loves Park (10.7% Hispanic), Machesney Park (8.6% Hispanic), and Davis Junction (13.5% Hispanic).

Rockford's Native American/Other Population

774 residents of Rockford, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rockford is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Rockford ranks 275th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rockford's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 26.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rockford's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Rockford is more Native American/Other than neighboring New Milford (0% Native American/Other), Loves Park (0.4% Native American/Other), and Davis Junction (0.3% Native American/Other). Rockford is less Native American/Other than neighboring Cherry Valley (0.7% Native American/Other), and Machesney Park (0.6% Native American/Other).

Rockford's Multiracial Population

8,114 residents of Rockford, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rockford is slightly higher than in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Rockford ranks 324th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rockford's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 16.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Rockford's population has increased from 4.7% to 5.5%.

Rockford is more Multiracial than neighboring New Milford (3.8% Multiracial), and Davis Junction (2.4% Multiracial). Rockford is less Multiracial than neighboring Cherry Valley (7.1% Multiracial), Loves Park (7.8% Multiracial), and Machesney Park (6.4% 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.