Rock Island, Illinois Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Rock Island, Illinois is 36,758 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 50th-largest city in Illinois. The median household income is $57,292, the median home value is $118,400, and the median age is 37.1.
The population has declined 6.5% since 2010 (38,978 → 36,434).
36,758
Population
2096
People / sq mi
$57,292
Median Income
$118,400
Median Home Value
Rock Island covers 17.5 sq mi of land at 2096 people per square mile.
About Rock Island, IL
Rock Island is a city in Illinois with a population of 36,758. It ranks #50 among cities in Illinois by population. The median age is 37.1, younger than the national median. The population is 49.6% male and 50.4% female.
The median household income in Rock Island is $57,292, below the US median of $74,580. 13.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $118,400, with monthly rent averaging $819. The homeownership rate of 63.5% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Rock Island reflects 22.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 8.8% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 19.6 minutes each way.
Rock Island city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Rock Island city had a population of 38,978 in 2010 and 36,434 in 2024, a -6.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 38,979 in 2011. Average annual growth rate: -0.48%.
36,434
Population (2024)
38,978
Population (2010)
38,979
Peak (2011)
-0.48%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 38,978 |
| 2011 | 38,979 |
| 2012 | 38,932 |
| 2013 | 38,896 |
| 2014 | 38,778 |
| 2015 | 38,530 |
| 2016 | 38,160 |
| 2017 | 37,812 |
| 2018 | 37,431 |
| 2019 | 37,176 |
| 2020 | 37,010 |
| 2021 | 36,587 |
| 2022 | 36,322 |
| 2023 | 36,296 |
| 2024 | 36,434 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 68.0% |
| Black or African American | 16.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.4% |
Economy & Income
$57,292
Median Household Income
$32,507
Per Capita Income
13.4%
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$118,400
Median Home Value
$819
Median Rent
63.5%
Owner-Occupied
Education
89.9%
High School+
22.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
2.4%
Drive Alone
76.4%
Public Transit
8.8%
Work From Home
19.6 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
27.0%
Foreign Born
86.6%
Non-English at Home
6.5%
Veterans
15.8%
With Disability
93.2%
Health Insurance
92.4%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 26.3% |
| Manufacturing | 13.7% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.4% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 10.1% |
| Retail Trade | 8.0% |
| Construction | 5.4% |
| Information | 4.2% |
| Public Administration | 3.3% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 2.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.4% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.5% |
Largest cities in Illinois
Largest counties in Illinois
Part of Illinois
Metro areas in Illinois
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Rock Island, Illinois has a population of 36,758 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 50th-largest city in Illinois.
The median household income in Rock Island, Illinois is $57,292, with 13.4% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Rock Island, Illinois is $118,400, with median monthly rent at $819 and a homeownership rate of 63.5%.
The median age in Rock Island, Illinois is 37.1 years. The population is 49.6% male and 50.4% female.
The population has declined 6.5% since 2010 (38,978 → 36,434).
More from Illinois
Population 2,707,648
Population 179,867
Population 149,785
Population 149,424
Population 147,649
Full rankings of Illinois cities by population
Statewide data for Illinois
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Illinois
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.