Rochelle, Illinois
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Rochelle, Illinois
| official_name =
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline = File:400 block of Lincoln Highway, Rochelle Downtown Historic District.jpg
| image_caption = Downtown Rochelle
| image_seal = Seal_of_Rochelle.png
| seal_type = Seal
| nickname = The Hub City
| pushpin_map = USA Illinois Ogle County#USA Illinois
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ogle County
| coordinates = {{coord|41|55|24|N|89|03|56|W|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Illinois
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name2 = Lee, Ogle
| subdivision_type3 = Township
| subdivision_name3 = Flagg, Dement, Alto, Reynolds
| established_title = Founded
| established_date =
| leader_party = R
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = John Bearrows
| area_total_sq_mi = 13.42
| area_land_sq_mi = 13.40
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.02
| elevation_footnotes = {{cite web|url={{Gnis3|416783}}|title=USGS detail on Newtown|access-date=2007-10-21}}
| elevation_ft = 823
| elevation_max_ft =
| elevation_min_ft =
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 9446
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_density_sq_mi = 704.87
| timezone1 = CST
| utc_offset1 = -6
| timezone1_DST = CDT
| utc_offset1_DST = -5
| postal_code_type = ZIP code
| postal_code = 61068, 61069
| area_code_type =
| area_code = 815
| website = {{URL|http://www.cityofrochelle.net/}}
| pop_est_as_of =
| pop_est_footnotes =
| population_est =
| unit_pref = Imperial
| blank_name = FIPS code
| blank_info = 17-64746
| area_total_km2 = 34.76
| area_land_km2 = 34.71
| area_water_km2 = 0.05
| population_density_km2 = 272.16
| image_map = File:Lee County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Rochelle Highlighted.svg
| map_caption = Location of Rochelle in Ogle County, Illinois.
}}
Rochelle is a city in Ogle and Lee counties, Illinois, United States. The population was 9,446 at the 2020 census.{{Cite web|title=Rochelle city, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US1764746|website=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=February 23, 2021}} Rochelle is approximately {{convert|80|mi|km}} west of Chicago and {{convert|25|mi|km}} south of Rockford.
History
Originally named "Lane",{{cite web | url=https://www.northernpublicradio.org/2013-01-24/rochelle-finds-benefit-in-its-nickname | title=Rochelle Finds Benefit in Its Nickname | date=January 24, 2013 }} the town sits at the intersection of two rail lines, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and the Union Pacific. Having a number of granaries holding corn, wheat and other crops for shipping eastward, the town was an important rail link for farmers.
After World War II, Rochelle grew, becoming a center for Swift Meat Packing and Del Monte canned vegetables such as asparagus, corn, green beans, and peas.
The community is home to the popular Rochelle Railroad Park where visitors from across the country come to watch passing trains at the intersection of the BNSF and Union Pacific Railroads.
On April 9, 2015, parts of the city suffered damage when an EF4 tornado struck near the outskirts of the town.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/09/us/severe-weather/ |title=Severe weather: Tornadoes hit Iowa, Illinois, Ohio; CNN; April 9, 2015. |website=CNN |date=9 April 2015 |access-date=April 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410010029/http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/09/us/severe-weather/ |archive-date=April 10, 2015 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://abc7chicago.com/weather/1-dead-in-fairdale-il-as-severe-storms-move-through-/643711/ |title=Tornadoes touch down, leave 1 dead in Fairdale; ABC7; April 9, 2015. |access-date=April 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413075343/http://abc7chicago.com/weather/1-dead-in-fairdale-il-as-severe-storms-move-through-/643711/ |archive-date=April 13, 2015 |url-status=live }}
Geography
Rochelle is located along the Kyte River (commonly, if inaccurately, known to most locals as "Kyte Creek"). It is also located near the junction of Interstates 39 and 88.
According to the 2010 census, Rochelle has a total area of {{convert|12.919|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|12.9|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 99.85%) is land and {{convert|0.019|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 0.15%) is water.{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1764746 |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1 |access-date=2015-12-27
|publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213054420/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1764746 |archive-date=2020-02-13 |url-status=dead }} Located primarily in Ogle County, a portion extends into neighboring Lee County.{{Cite web|title=Lee County Districts|url=https://gis.leecountyil.gov/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=63e8cfcd0a764d81863e4c125bc9d7d9|website=Lee County, Illinois|accessdate=February 12, 2025}}
Demographics
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1880= 1893
|1890= 1789
|1900= 2073
|1910= 2732
|1920= 3310
|1930= 3785
|1940= 4200
|1950= 5449
|1960= 7008
|1970= 8594
|1980= 8982
|1990= 8769
|2000= 9424
|2010= 9574
|2020= 9446
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=}}
2010 2020
}}
=2020 census=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Rochelle city, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition !Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) !Pop 2000{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Rochelle city, Illinois |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=1600000US1764746&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=}} !Pop 2010{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Rochelle city, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US1764746&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau}} !{{partial|Pop 2020}}{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Rochelle city, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US1764746&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau}} !% 2000 !% 2010 !{{partial|% 2020}} |
| White alone (NH)
|7,324 |6,918 |style='background: #ffffe6; |6,128 |77.72% |72.26% |style='background: #ffffe6; |64.87% |
| Black or African American alone (NH)
|92 |208 |style='background: #ffffe6; |239 |0.98% |2.17% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.53% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)
|19 |21 |style='background: #ffffe6; |20 |0.20% |0.22% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.21% |
| Asian alone (NH)
|83 |65 |style='background: #ffffe6; |73 |0.88% |0.68% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.77% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH)
|2 |1 |style='background: #ffffe6; |0 |0.02% |0.01% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH)
|6 |0 |style='background: #ffffe6; |15 |0.06% |0.00% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.16% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)
|92 |107 |style='background: #ffffe6; |323 |0.98% |1.12% |style='background: #ffffe6; |3.42% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race)
|1,806 |2,254 |style='background: #ffffe6; |2,648 |19.16% |23.54% |style='background: #ffffe6; |28.03% |
| Total
|9,424 |9,574 |style='background: #ffffe6; |9,446 |100.00% |100.00% |style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00% |
=2000 Census=
As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/http://www.census.gov/|archive-date=1996-12-27|url-status=live}} of 2000, there were 9,424 people, 3,688 households, and 2,415 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,260.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,895 housing units at an average density of {{convert|521.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 86.81% White, 1.14% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 8.69% from other races, and 1.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.16% of the population.
There were 3,688 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. Of all households 29.3% were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,984, and the median income for a family was $46,563. Males had a median income of $35,890 versus $25,058 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,139. About 7.6% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Whitcomb Locomotive Works, founded by George Dexter Whitcomb, manufactured industrial locomotives as well as the Partin Palmer automobile, in Rochelle.
Union Pacific's Global III Intermodal Facility, completed in 2003, was Union Pacific's largest intermodal facility upon completion.{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1215/is_8_204/ai_108114495 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711012150/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1215/is_8_204/ai_108114495 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-11 |work=Railway Age |title=Design for decongestion |first=Frank |last=Malone |year=2003 }} It closed in 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Uncertainty-hits-Rochelle-as-Union-Pacific-idling-services-in-July-509395061.html |title=Union Pacific Railroad services to leave Rochelle in July |date=2 May 2019 |access-date=2019-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504004749/https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Uncertainty-hits-Rochelle-as-Union-Pacific-idling-services-in-July-509395061.html |archive-date=2019-05-04 |url-status=live }}
The Illinois River Energy ethanol plant is located in Rochelle.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pjstar.com/free/x1260739567/Farmers-ethanol-makers-likely-OK-with-no-subsidy |title=Farmers, ethanol makers likely OK with no subsidy - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com |access-date=2011-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624063412/http://www.pjstar.com/free/x1260739567/Farmers-ethanol-makers-likely-OK-with-no-subsidy |archive-date=2011-06-24 |url-status=live }}
Arts and culture
File:Rochelle, IL Rail Road Park 01.JPG
Notable buildings include:
Rochelle Railroad Park is located here.
Education
Rochelle Community Consolidated District 231 serves Rochelle and limited areas just outside town. Schools include:
- Abraham Lincoln Elementary
- Central Elementary
- Floyd J. Tilton Elementary
- Phillip May Elementary
- Rochelle Middle School
Rochelle Township High School District 212 operates Rochelle Township High School.
St. Paul Lutheran School enrolls children from age three, up through the eighth grade.
Infrastructure
=Transportation=
Rochelle owns and operates Rochelle Municipal Airport.
==Hub==
Rochelle is known as the "Hub City" because of its location at the intersection of several major transportation routes. The first transcontinental highway in the United States, the Lincoln Highway, passed through Rochelle, as did US-51, one of the first highways to go the full north–south length of the United States. Both these roads have diminished in importance (and are now state highways 38 and 251, respectively), but Rochelle continues to be crossed by major highways, especially Interstates 88 and 39. Besides roadways, Rochelle is also crossed by two major rail lines; the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway mainlines cross inside of the city limits.{{cite web |url=http://www.rochelletourism.com/brochure.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-03-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715193114/http://www.rochelletourism.com/brochure.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-15 }} The effect, as seen on a map, was one of the spokes of an old wagon wheel meeting at the "hub", and thus the nickname was born.
Several businesses carry the moniker "Hub City", including furniture stores, shopping centers, realty firms, dry cleaners, and many others. Additionally, he local high school's teams are known as the "Hubs".{{Cite web |url=http://www.rths.rochelle.net/index.shtml |title=RTHS-Community Campus |access-date=2010-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129033822/http://www.rths.rochelle.net/index.shtml |archive-date=2010-01-29 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.rochellehubssports.com/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040723163046/http://www.rochellehubssports.com/ |archive-date=2004-07-23 |url-status=live }}
Rochelle was once a stop for passenger trains operated by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and its successor, the Burlington Northern, such as North Coast Limited. The town saw its last passenger train in 1971, and in 2007, the depot, which had been built in 1921, was demolished.
Notable people
- Joan Allen, actress
- Joanna Baker, professor of ancient languages
- Delos W. Baxter, Illinois state senator, lawyer, and mayor of Rochelle
- Stan Campbell, pro football player
- Mabel Craft Deering, journalist, born in Rochelle[https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/2412/31806_212067-02137?pid=13376&treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=Axe39&_phstart=successSource California State Library, 1906][https://www.newspapers.com/image/66254739/?terms=Mabel%2BCraft "The High School," Oakland Daily Evening Tribune, June 2, 1888, image 3][https://www.newspapers.com/image/457805757/?terms=Frank%2BPrentiss%2BDeering "Popular Member of Junior League to Wed Mr. Howe," The San Francisco Examiner, August 22, 1931, image 6]
- William Gehring, Professor of Cognitive Psychology and one of the discoverers of Error Related Negativity
- Lloyd Ingraham, actor
- Paul R. Lawrence, Harvard professor and pioneer of contingency theory
- William W. May, American athlete, competed in the 1908 London Olympics,{{Cite web|title=Fighting Illini At The Olympics|url=https://fightingillini.com/sports/2016/2/15/fightingillini-olympics.aspx}} Rochelle Township High School graduate and 1905 State Champion in the 50 yard dash{{Cite web|title=IHSA Boys Track & Field - Records & History|url=https://www.ihsa.org/Sports-Activities/Boys-Track-Field/Records-History}}
- Abram B. Steele, lawyer and politician
- Daniel Van Kirk, comedian
- Judith C. Toth, member of the Maryland House of Delegates (1975–1990)
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Rochelle, Illinois}}
- {{Official website|http://www.cityofrochelle.net/}}
{{Lee County, Illinois}}
{{Ogle County, Illinois}}
{{authority control}}