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
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Rock Island covers 17.5 sq mi of land at 2096 people per square mile.
About Rock Island, IL
Housing cost is the defining feature of Rock Island: the median home is valued at $118,400. With 36,758 residents, Rock Island is a city in Illinois. It ranks #50 among cities in Illinois by population.
Earnings trail the nation, with the median household making $57,292, below the US median of $78,538. Roughly 13.4% of residents fall below the poverty line, above the national 12.4%. Home prices sit near the bottom of the range at $118,400, with typical rent around $819.
College attainment is 22.4%, below the national 35.0%. Around 8.8% of workers work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 20 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
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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).
Where to stay in Rock Island
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.