Rockford, Illinois

File:Rockford Il Memorial Hall2.jpg]]

File:Rockford 1880-1899.jpg

Rockford traces its roots to 1834, as the combined settlements of Midway were founded on both banks of the Rock River. On the west bank, Germanicus Kent and Thatcher Blake (with his slave Lewis Lemon) founded Kentville; the east bank was settled by Daniel Shaw Haight. With the location of the Rock River equidistant between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River, the combined settlement derived the name "Midway".{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rockford|title=Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster|access-date=July 4, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/506337/Rockford|title=Rockford - Illinois, United States|access-date=July 4, 2016}} In 1836, Winnebago County was created (from both Jo Daviess and LaSalle counties), with Midway named as its county seat, as it was "halfway between Galena and Chicago on a line of four-horse coaches."Addams, J. (2004). My friend Julia Lathrop. New York: MacMillan.

In 1837, the village of Midway was renamed Rockford, highlighting a rocky river ford across the Rock River in the village.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gorockford.com/includes/media/docs/Rockford-Fact-Sheet.pdf|title=All About Rockford, Illinois|last=Bridget|first=French|website=Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau|access-date=June 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904110947/http://www.gorockford.com/includes/media/docs/Rockford-Fact-Sheet.pdf|archive-date=September 4, 2015|url-status=dead}} In the same year, Rockford established its first post office, with Daniel Shaw Haight as the first postmaster. In 1840, the first weekly newspaper began circulation. In 1847, Rockford Female Seminary – today Rockford University – was founded. On January 3, 1852, Rockford was officially chartered as a city;{{cite news |title=The History and Statistics of American Water-Works |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nMlBAQAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA6 |access-date=March 16, 2021 |work=Engineering News-record |date=January 7, 1882}} a year later the long-running "Forest City" nickname first appeared, used by the New York Tribune. Also in 1852, the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad connected Rockford to Chicago by railroad.

At the time of its founding, many of the village's residents were transplants from the Northeastern United States and upstate New York.History of Rockford and Winnebago County, Illinois: From the First Settlement in 1834 to the Civil War pg. 253 Descended from English Puritans, the Midway/Rockford population was similar to much of the rest of northern Illinois and nearly all of Wisconsin during the mid-19th century. After the Black Hawk War, additional immigrants moved to northern Illinois; during the 1830s and 1840s, Rockford and Winnebago County were considered a cultural extension of New England.The Expansion of New England: The Spread of New England Settlement and Institutions to the Mississippi River, 1620-1865 by Lois imball Mathews pg. 210-212

During the antebellum period, Rockford shared abolitionist leanings, lending considerable support to the Free Soil Party and the later Republican Party. In 1848, 42 percent of voters in Winnebago County (where Rockford dominated as the county seat) voted for Martin Van Buren. In 1852, Free Soil candidate John P. Hale became the first presidential candidate to visit Rockford, although he would only receive 28 percent of the vote. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln won 3,985 votes in Winnebago County to the 817 votes of Stephen A. Douglas.History of Rockford and Winnebago County, Illinois: From the First Settlement in 1834 to the Civil War, pg. 379

The 1850s brought industry that would change Rockford forever. In 1853, inventor John Henry Manny moved to Rockford to produce horse-drawn mechanical reapers for farmers and transport the finished products by rail. Chicago implement manufacturer Cyrus McCormick (whose company became International Harvester) took Manny to court after he produced nearly 6,000 machines; Manny would prevail on both judgement and an appeal. Along with the production of agricultural machines, Swedish furniture cooperatives established the city as a manufacturing base. The Rockford Union Furniture Company, under John Erlander, spearheaded these cooperatives. Today, Erlander's home is a Rockford museum that shows his efforts in elevating Rockford to second in furniture manufacturing in the United States, behind Grand Rapids.Lundin, Jon W. "Rockford, An Illustrated History, Windsor Publications 1989 p. 8

During the Civil War, one of the first Illinois regiments to be mobilized, the Zouaves, were from Rockford. The city also served as the site for Camp Fuller, a training site for four other infantry regiments.

File:11TH_ILLINOIS_INFANTRY_OF_COMPANY_D_FLAG.png

In 1884, Rockford established its first city-wide public school district, constructing Rockford Central High School in 1885; following the construction of the high school, the district began construction of brick multi-story multigrade school buildings across the city.

The Rockford Female Seminary became the alma mater of Jane Addams in 1881. The move accompanied the Seminary's transition into a more complete curriculum, which was represented by its renaming to Rockford College in 1892. Culture flourished with the founding of the Mendelssohn Club in 1884, which became the oldest operating music club in the United States. It was complemented by the construction of a Carnegie library in 1902, which became the first building of Rockford's public library system. 1903 saw the dedication of the Winnebago County Veterans Memorial Hall in the presence of sitting President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt returned to Rockford during his campaign in 1912 and again to address the soldiers at Camp Grant, a training site for World War I soldiers.

File:John F Kennedy campaigns in downtown Rockford circa October 1960.png campaigning and driving through State Street in downtown Rockford, 1960]]

File:Illinois - Red Bud through Rockford - NARA - 23939943 (cropped).jpg

The twentieth century saw demographic changes to Rockford. An influx of Italians, Poles, Lithuanians, and African Americans replaced the previously dominant Irish and Swedes. The city was also no stranger to contemporary political issues. Electorally divided between wets and drys on the subject of prohibition, Rockford featured a coalition of labor unionists and socialists that elected numerous aldermen and carried 25 to 40 percent in mayoral elections. During World War I, an antiwar protest by the Industrial Workers of the World led to 118 arrests. In 1920, the city was a target of the Palmer Raids. While its congressional district favored Republicans, Rockford continuously elected former socialists as mayor between 1921 and 1955.

One of its contemporary attractions, the Coronado Theatre, opened in 1927. Noted for its atmospheric styling, the Coronado rivaled its counterparts in Chicago and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.{{Cite web|url = http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/411|title = Coronado Performing Arts Center|access-date = June 27, 2014|website = Cinema Treasures|last = Krefft|first = Bryan}} Camp Grant was turned over to the Illinois National Guard. During World War II, it reopened as an induction center and POW detention camp. The USS Rockford, a Tacoma-class frigate named for the city, was commissioned in March 1944 and earned two service stars.

In the September 1949 issue of Life magazine, postwar Rockford was described as "nearly typical of the U.S. as any city can be." Due to this archetypal nature, sociologists like W. Lloyd Warner warned of the necessity to "understand the realities of their system."{{Cite news|title = A sociologist looks at an American community|last = Warner|first = W. Lloyd|date = September 12, 1949|work = Life Magazine|publisher = Life Magazine|pages = 108–119}} In the late 1950s, Rockford lost over 50,000 trees to Dutch elm disease, thinning the tree canopy of the "Forest City" for decades.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rockfordreminisce.com/tidbits/|title=tidbits|last=Services|first=DNC Web|website=RockfordReminisce.com|language=en-US|access-date=April 23, 2019}}

From 1955 to 1965, several events would take place that would shape the development of Rockford into the 21st century. In 1956, construction was approved for a four-lane US 20 bypass;{{Cite web|url=https://www.rockfordreminisce.com/timeline/|title=timeline|last=Services|first=DNC Web|website=RockfordReminisce.com|language=en-US|access-date=April 23, 2019}} along with shifting truck traffic away from the downtown routing of the highway, the bypass established much of the southern border of the city (which remains to this day). In 1958, Interstate 90 was completed in Illinois, becoming the Northwest Tollway;{{Cite web|url=https://www.midwayvillage.com/pdfs/timeline-of-rockford-history.pdf|title=TIMELINE OF ROCKFORD'S HISTORY|website=Midway Village}} in a decision that would change Rockford forever, the interstate highway was not routed through the city, but near the Winnebago-Boone county line, with the eastern terminus of the US 20 bypass in Cherry Valley.

In 1963, the Rockford area was selected by Chrysler Corporation to construct an assembly plant; the final site of what is now the Belvidere Assembly Plant is southwest of Belvidere, between US 20 and Interstate 90. While not located directly in the city, the Chrysler assembly plant has served as one of the largest employers of the region since its 1965 opening.

The growth of Rockford led to many changes to its educational systems. In 1955, Rockford College – now Rockford University – became co-educational for the first time. Coinciding with the expansion of the student body, the college outgrew its near-east side campus in use since the 1840s. After the acquisition of land in 1957, construction began on its present-day campus location, opening in 1964. In 1964, Rock Valley College was founded as a two-year community college, with construction on its campus commencing in 1965.

Prior to the 1960s, neighborhood and economic growth in Rockford largely mirrored itself on both sides of the Rock River. As the 20th century progressed, growth in western Rockford (and established neighborhoods in eastern areas of the city) struggled to compete with economic development that moved further east. From the late 1950s, downtown Rockford (centered around the intersection of IL 2 and US 20; Main Street and West State Street) began to decline as the primary shopping district of the city. In 1956, North Towne Mall opened on the far northwest side of the city, with Colonial Village opening on the (then) far east side in 1962, both of which were partially enclosed (some stores had exterior entrances).http://mall-hall-of-fame.blogspot.com/2009/10/cherryvale-mall-harrison-avenue-and.html Also see Cherryvale Mall confirming assertion In 1973, Cherryvale Mall was opened as the first fully enclosed shopping mall in the city; nearly 6 miles from the city center, the mall was located at the intersection of the US-20 bypass and the Northwest Tollway, sharing a city border with Cherry Valley.

While growth at the eastern end of Rockford undersaw favorable conditions for growth, established neighborhoods began to suffer irrevocable decline.Lundin, Jon W. "Rockford, An Illustrated History, Windsor Publications 1989 p. 12 In the 1970s, efforts commenced to revitalize downtown Rockford, once the primary shopping district. In a highly criticized decision, the city reconfigured several blocks of downtown into a pedestrian mall, closing off the Main Street/West State Street intersection to traffic.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rrstar.com/article/20081211/News/312119856|title=Goodbye, pedestrian mall: Downtown gets a 'cool, hip image'|last=Kolkey|first=Jeff|date=December 11, 2008|website=Rockford Register Star|access-date=June 26, 2014}} In 1975, what the local press characterized as one of the most well-known and haunting crimes{{Cite web|url=https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Man-convicted-of-1975-murder-dies-in-prison-414542893.html|title = Man convicted of 1975 murder dies in prison| date=February 22, 2017 }} took place when newspaper delivery boy Joey Didier was kidnapped and murdered by Robert Lower. In the late 1970s, Symbol, a 47-foot tall Alexander Liberman abstract sculpture was placed in the center of the pedestrian mall.{{Cite web|url=http://rockfordsymbol.com/bykevinschwitters/history.html|title=Historical Facts About Symbol|last=Schwitters|first=Kevin|website=Symbol—The Official Rockford Sculpture|publisher=Kevin Schwitters|access-date=June 27, 2014}} In 1980, then Congressman John B. Anderson, representing the 16th Congressional District in Illinois which includes Rockford, ran for President of the United States. Further attracting commercial growth, the MetroCentre 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena, was opened in 1981.

Rockford was hit hard by the early 1980s recession and became one of the highest-unemployed cities in the United States. In 1981, rail service to the city ended as Amtrak ended the Dubuque-to-Chicago Black Hawk route.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/04/10/amtrak-rail-service-between-chicago-and-rockford-to-begin-in-2015/|title=Amtrak rail service between Chicago and Rockford to begin in 2015|last=Hilkevitch|first=Jon|date=April 10, 2014|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=June 26, 2014}} After struggling to compete with more modern facilities, the Coronado Theatre showed its last movie in 1984, shifting solely to stage performances.{{Cite web|url=http://www.coronadopac.org/about/history/|title=About Coronado Performing Arts Center|website=Coronado Performing Arts Center|publisher=Coronado PAC|access-date=June 27, 2014}} To expand passenger service, the Greater Rockford Airport rebuilt its passenger terminal in 1987, although the access of Rockford to the Northwest Tollway (to the much larger O'Hare Airport) became a popular alternative.

In a decision that continues to affect Rockford to the present day, in 1989, Rockford Public School District 205 closed several schools across the city in a cost-cutting decision. In the aftermath of the decision, the school district was found guilty in federal court of discrimination against minority students.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rrstar.com/article/20090224/News/302249850|title=People Who Care: It all began 20 years ago|last=Curry|first=Corina|date=February 24, 2009|website=Rockford Register Star|access-date=June 27, 2014}}

{{Cite web|url=https://gatehousenews.com/segregatedagain/|title=Segregated Again - But Equal?|website=Segregated Again|language=en-US|access-date=April 23, 2019}} From 1993 to 2001, the school district was under federal oversight to desegregate its schools, costing over $250 million.

During the 2000s, a movement began to reverse urban blight of downtown Rockford, which had begun in the 1960s. After an 18-month multi-million dollar renovation and expansion, the Coronado Theatre was reopened in 2001. In 2008, the MetroCentre downtown arena completed a $20 million renovation (renamed the BMO Harris Bank Center in 2011).{{Cite web|url=http://www.rrstar.com/x1768843713/MetroCentre-revamp-project-winding-down-revenue-going-up|title=MetroCentre revamp project winding down, revenue going up|last=Wiser|first=Mike|date=July 11, 2008|website=Rockford Register Star|access-date=June 26, 2014}}

{{Cite web|url=http://www.rrstar.com/x181940245/RAVE-to-sell-naming-rights-to-Rockfords-MetroCentre|title=Rockford MetroCentre has new name: BMO Harris Bank Center|last=Kolkey|first=Jeff|date=August 11, 2011|website=Rockford Register Star|access-date=June 26, 2014}}

In 2009, the downtown pedestrian mall was removed as part of a street refurbishment project, restoring Main Street (Illinois Route 2) to two-lane traffic for the first time in nearly 45 years.

Prior to the onset of the Great Recession, housing in Rockford was affected by catastrophic weather events. In 2006 and 2007, Keith Creek underwent 100-year flooding events, damaging hundreds of older homes on the near east side of the city. In response, the city secured FEMA grants, demolishing over 100 homes; to reduce the severity of future flooding events, the creek is being reconstructed (through 2019) and left as greenspace.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rrstar.com/article/20091009/News/310099882|title=Keith Creek home demolition to start soon|last=Kolkey|first=Jeff|date=October 9, 2009|website=Rockford Register Star|access-date=June 28, 2014}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rrstar.com/article/20131213/NEWS/131219751/10330/NEWS|title=An empowered Rockford neighborhood celebrates accomplishments|last=Green|first=Chris|date=December 13, 2013|website=Rockford Register Star|access-date=June 28, 2014}}{{Cite web|url=https://cdn.rockfordil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2019-2023-Capital-Improvement-Plan_Council-Approved-120318.pdf|title=2019-2023 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM|website=City of Rockford (IL)|page=17}} As an effect of the recession, by 2013, thirty-two percent of mortgages in the city were upside-down.{{Cite web|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324324404579043300994815702|title=Welcome to Rockford, Ill, the Underwater Mortgage Capital of America|last=Dougherty|first=Conor|date=September 8, 2013|website=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=June 26, 2013}} While remaining the largest city in Illinois outside Chicago and its suburbs, estimated population decline from 2010 to 2017 led Rockford to be overtaken by Joliet and Naperville (the latter, slightly), effectively making it the fifth-largest city in Illinois.{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/rockfordcityillinois/LND110210|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Rockford city, Illinois|website=Census Bureau QuickFacts|language=en-US|access-date=November 1, 2018}}

From 2014 to 2018, the unemployment rate in Rockford has fallen from 12.9 percent to 4.4 percent (the lowest since 2000).{{Cite web|url=http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.il_rockford_msa.htm|title=Economy at a Glance|date=June 20, 2014|website=Bureau of Labor Statistics|access-date=June 26, 2014}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rrstar.com/news/20180621/unemployment-falls-across-rockford-region|title=Unemployment falls across Rockford region|last=Kolkey|first=Jeff|date=June 21, 2018|website=Rockford Register Star|access-date=August 15, 2018}} While predominately a manufacturing community since World War II, Rockford has struggled to diversify its industrial base. Shifting from agricultural machinery and furniture, manufacturing in the city remains dominated by fasteners, automotive suppliers (representing FCA Belvidere Assembly), and the aerospace industry (Woodward and Collins Aerospace; the latter, tracing its roots to Sundstrand Corporation). In 2012, Woodward selected suburban Loves Park for a $200 million manufacturing campus toward its energy control and optimization systems.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rrstar.com/article/20120823/Blogs/308239865|title = Woodward picks Loves Park for $200M expansion|date = August 23, 2012|access-date = June 28, 2014|website = Rockford Register Star|last = Gary|first = Alex}} Boeing included Rockford in a list of five finalists to manufacture the 777X during union disputes in 2014.{{Cite web|url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/01/09/illinois-had-shot-to-land-777x-plant/|title = Illinois had shot to land 777X plant|date = January 9, 2014|access-date = June 28, 2014|website = Chicago Tribune|last = Karp|first = Gregory}} In 2016, AAR Corporation opened a MRO facility at the Rockford airport with a hangar large enough to fit a Boeing 747-8.

During the 2010s, all three major health care providers in Rockford underwent major expansions of their facilities. SwedishAmerican, in partnership with the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, opened a $39 million Regional Cancer Center in 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rrstar.com/article/20131009/News/131009811|title=New SwedishAmerican cancer center opens next week in Rockford|last=Westphal|first=Melissa|date=October 9, 2013|website=Rockford Register Star|access-date=June 28, 2014}} In 2014, MercyHealth (based in Janesville, Wisconsin) acquired Rockford Health System, the operator of Rockford Memorial Hospital. In 2019, MercyHealth opened Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside (named after the MercyHealth CEO and its Riverside Boulevard/Interstate 90 location); its second hospital in Rockford, the $505 million complex was the largest construction project in the history of the city.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rrstar.com/article/20160302/NEWS/160309847|title=Negotiations continue as city tries to keep MercyRockford from moving $485M project to Wisconsin|last=Leaf|first=Brian|date=March 2, 2016|website=Rockford Register Star|access-date=August 15, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://mercyhealthsystem.org/press-release/mercyhealth-breaks-ground-485-million-womens-childrens-hospital-rockford/|title=Mercyhealth breaks ground on $485 million women's and children's hospital in Rockford|date=June 6, 2016|website=Mercy Health|access-date=August 15, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170928/construction-on-pace-for-new-mercyhealth-hospital|title=Construction on pace for new Mercyhealth hospital|last=Green|first=Chris|date=September 28, 2017|website=Rockford Register Star|access-date=August 15, 2018}}

In July 2024, a 200-year flooding event overwhelmed the city's stormwater management systems, killing at least one.{{cite web |url=https://www.wifr.com/2024/07/16/rockford-area-flash-floods-turn-fatal-keeping-community-edge/ |title=Rockford-area flash floods turn fatal, keeping community on edge |publisher=WIFR-LD |date=July 15, 2024 |access-date=August 8, 2024 }}

According to the 2010 census, Rockford has an area of {{convert|61.949|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|61.08|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 98.6%) is land and {{convert|0.869|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 1.4%) is water.{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1765000 |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1 |access-date=December 27, 2015|publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213055426/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1765000 |archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead }} Located primarily in Winnebago County, a portion extends into neighboring Ogle County.{{cite web|title=Beacon - Ogle County, IL - Map|url=https://beacon.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?AppID=71&LayerID=592&PageTypeID=1&PageID=953|website=Beacon|access-date=February 12, 2025}} Rockford is approximately 90 miles west-northwest of downtown Chicago, and 70 miles south-southeast of Madison.

File:Fordham Dam Rockford IL.jpg

The Rock River forms the traditional center of Rockford and is its most recognizable natural feature. One of its largest tributaries, the Kishwaukee River, joins the Rock River at the southern end of the city near the Rockford airport. Since the 1946 closure of Camp Grant, much of the length of Kishwaukee has been redeveloped into parkland and forest preserves, effectively forming the southern border of the city. Other waterways that feed into the Rock River include Spring Creek (northeast region), Keith Creek (east region), and Kent Creek (west region). Of the 8 Illinois dams of the Rock River, the Fordham dam is located south of downtown.

Summers are usually hot and humid with the average high temperature in July (the hottest month) being {{convert|83.9|°F}}. The winter months can bring bitterly cold Arctic air masses. The average high temperature in January (the coldest month) is {{convert|29.1|°F}}. June is Rockford's wettest month while January is the driest. During a typical year, Rockford receives {{convert|37.24|in|mm|abbr=on}} of precipitation.

Rockford and surrounding areas are prone to violent thunderstorms during March, April, May, and June. On April 21, 1967, a violent F4 tornado struck the neighboring town of Belvidere, killing twenty-four people and injuring hundreds more at Belvidere's High School. Other severe weather events, such as hail and strong winds are common in these storms. On July 5, 2003, at 04:13, a line of severe storms and their associated high winds caused widespread damage on both the east and west sides of Rockford.{{cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/lot/2003_jul5_winds |title=Damaging Winds at Rockford and Around Chicagoland |publisher=National Weather Service |date=2003}} Approximately 70,000 people were without power, with many on the west side suffering in the heat without electricity for a week. It took months to clear the damage, but because the storm struck so early in the morning there were no injuries or fatalities. However, these sometimes violent storms bring the majority of summer rainfall.

The city is also prone to severe snowstorms in winter, and blizzards are frequent winter occurrences. On January 13, 1979, over 9 inches (23 cm) of snow fell on Rockford in just a few hours during one of the strongest blizzards in the city's history. The city averages approximately 36 inches (91.4 cm) of snowfall in a normal winter, but greater amounts are common. The snowiest winter in the history of the city was the winter of 1978–1979, when {{convert|74.5|in|cm|0}} of snow fell.

The record high temperature is {{convert|112|°F|0}}, set on July 14, 1936 during the Dust Bowl,{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/daily/USIL1013?climoMonth=7 |title=July Daily Averages for Rockford, IL |publisher=The Weather Channel |date=February 27, 2012 }} and the record low temperature is {{convert|−31|°F|0|abbr=}}, set on January 31, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/lot/RecordColdJan2019|title=Historic Record Cold Temperatures Across Northern Illinois|date=February 27, 2012|publisher=The Weather Channel}}

{{Weather box

| location = Rockford, Illinois (Chicago Rockford International Airport) 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present

| single line = Y

| Jan record high F = 63

| Feb record high F = 78

| Mar record high F = 85

| Apr record high F = 93

| May record high F = 106

| Jun record high F = 106

| Jul record high F = 112

| Aug record high F = 104

| Sep record high F = 103

| Oct record high F = 91

| Nov record high F = 81

| Dec record high F = 69

| year record high F = 112

| Jan avg record high F = 49.7

| Feb avg record high F = 53.7

| Mar avg record high F = 70.2

| Apr avg record high F = 80.8

| May avg record high F = 88.0

| Jun avg record high F = 92.7

| Jul avg record high F = 93.4

| Aug avg record high F = 92.4

| Sep avg record high F = 89.6

| Oct avg record high F = 82.3

| Nov avg record high F = 66.7

| Dec avg record high F = 53.9

| year avg record high F = 95.4

| Jan high F = 29.1

| Feb high F = 33.4

| Mar high F = 46.5

| Apr high F = 59.7

| May high F = 71.2

| Jun high F = 80.7

| Jul high F = 83.9

| Aug high F = 82.0

| Sep high F = 75.3

| Oct high F = 62.3

| Nov high F = 47.1

| Dec high F = 34.3

| year high F = 58.8

| Jan mean F = 21.8

| Feb mean F = 25.6

| Mar mean F = 37.3

| Apr mean F = 49.1

| May mean F = 60.4

| Jun mean F = 70.1

| Jul mean F = 73.8

| Aug mean F = 71.9

| Sep mean F = 64.4

| Oct mean F = 52.0

| Nov mean F = 38.8

| Dec mean F = 27.3

| year mean F = 49.4

| Jan low F = 14.5

| Feb low F = 17.8

| Mar low F = 28.1

| Apr low F = 38.5

| May low F = 49.5

| Jun low F = 59.6

| Jul low F = 63.6

| Aug low F = 61.8

| Sep low F = 53.5

| Oct low F = 41.8

| Nov low F = 30.5

| Dec low F = 20.2

| year low F = 40.0

| Jan avg record low F = −9.6

| Feb avg record low F = −3.8

| Mar avg record low F = 8.4

| Apr avg record low F = 23.5

| May avg record low F = 34.3

| Jun avg record low F = 46.2

| Jul avg record low F = 52.8

| Aug avg record low F = 51.3

| Sep avg record low F = 38.0

| Oct avg record low F = 26.1

| Nov avg record low F = 13.8

| Dec avg record low F = −1.2

| year avg record low F = -13.9

| Jan record low F = −31

| Feb record low F = −25

| Mar record low F = −11

| Apr record low F = 5

| May record low F = 24

| Jun record low F = 35

| Jul record low F = 43

| Aug record low F = 35

| Sep record low F = 24

| Oct record low F = 7

| Nov record low F = −10

| Dec record low F = −24

| year record low F = -31

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 1.60

| Feb precipitation inch = 1.63

| Mar precipitation inch = 2.40

| Apr precipitation inch = 3.75

| May precipitation inch = 4.18

| Jun precipitation inch = 5.23

| Jul precipitation inch = 3.81

| Aug precipitation inch = 4.19

| Sep precipitation inch = 3.62

| Oct precipitation inch = 2.63

| Nov precipitation inch = 2.27

| Dec precipitation inch = 1.93

| year precipitation inch = 37.24

| Jan snow inch = 10.9

| Feb snow inch = 8.5

| Mar snow inch = 4.9

| Apr snow inch = 0.9

| May snow inch = 0.0

| Jun snow inch = 0.0

| Jul snow inch = 0.0

| Aug snow inch = 0.0

| Sep snow inch = 0.0

| Oct snow inch = 0.2

| Nov snow inch = 2.3

| Dec snow inch = 9.4

| year snow inch = 37.1

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 10.1

| Feb precipitation days = 8.7

| Mar precipitation days = 10.8

| Apr precipitation days = 11.8

| May precipitation days = 12.9

| Jun precipitation days = 11.4

| Jul precipitation days = 9.1

| Aug precipitation days = 9.3

| Sep precipitation days = 8.4

| Oct precipitation days = 9.6

| Nov precipitation days = 8.8

| Dec precipitation days = 9.8

| year precipitation days = 120.7

| unit snow days = 0.1 in

| Jan snow days = 8.2

| Feb snow days = 6.5

| Mar snow days = 3.9

| Apr snow days = 0.9

| May snow days = 0.0

| Jun snow days = 0.0

| Jul snow days = 0.0

| Aug snow days = 0.0

| Sep snow days = 0.0

| Oct snow days = 0.2

| Nov snow days = 1.6

| Dec snow days = 6.8

| year snow days = 28.1

|Jan snow depth inch = 7.2

|Feb snow depth inch = 6.7

|Mar snow depth inch = 4.1

|Apr snow depth inch = 0.4

|May snow depth inch = 0.0

|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0

|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0

|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0

|Sep snow depth inch = 0.0

|Oct snow depth inch = 0.1

|Nov snow depth inch = 1.6

|Dec snow depth inch = 5.7

|year snow depth inch = 10.9

| source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=lot

| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = July 11, 2021}}

{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00094822&format=pdf

| title = Station: Rockford GTR Rockford AP, IL

| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = July 11, 2021}}

}}

{{US Census population

| 1860 = 6979

| 1870 = 11049

| 1880 = 13120

| 1890 = 23584

| 1900 = 31051

| 1910 = 45401

| 1920 = 64651

| 1930 = 85864

| 1940 = 84637

| 1950 = 92927

| 1960 = 126706

| 1970 = 147370

| 1980 = 139712

| 1990 = 139426

| 2000 = 150115

| 2010 = 152871

| 2020 = 148655

| estyear = 2022

| estimate = 146713

| 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

}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|+Rockford city, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
{{nobold|Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.}}

!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 – Rockford city, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US1765000&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 26, 2024}}

!Pop 2010{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Rockford city, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US1765000&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 26, 2024}}

!{{partial|Pop 2020}}{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Rockford city, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US1765000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 26, 2024}}

!% 2000

!% 2010

!{{partial|% 2020}}

|-

|White alone (NH)

|102,678

|89,349

|style='background: #ffffe6; |72,440

|68.40%

|58.45%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |48.73%

|-

|Black or African American alone (NH)

|25,822

|30,695

|style='background: #ffffe6; |33,466

|17.20%

|20.08%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |22.51%

|-

|Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)

|315

|308

|style='background: #ffffe6; |308

|0.21%

|0.20%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.21%

|-

|Asian alone (NH)

|3,256

|4,390

|style='background: #ffffe6; |5,145

|2.17%

|2.87%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.46%

|-

|Pacific Islander alone (NH)

|45

|36

|style='background: #ffffe6; |30

|0.03%

|0.02%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.02%

|-

|Other race alone (NH)

|171

|218

|style='background: #ffffe6; |715

|0.11%

|0.14%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.48%

|-

|Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)

|2,550

|3,790

|style='background: #ffffe6; |6,968

|1.70%

|2.48%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.69%

|-

|Hispanic or Latino (any race)

|15,278

|24,085

|style='background: #ffffe6; |29,583

|10.18%

|15.76%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |19.90%

|-

|Total

|150,115

|152,871

|style='background: #ffffe6; |148,655

|100.00%

|100.00%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00%

|}

{{Update section|date=April 2024|reason=needs information from more recent 2020 census|inaccurate=yes}}

As of the 2010 census,{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} there were 152,871 people and 66,700 households. Rockford is in the center of its namesake metropolitan area. The racial makeup of the city was 65.1% White (58.4% Non-Hispanic white), 20.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.9% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 7.5% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 15.8% of the population.{{cite web|title=Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=October 1, 2011 }}

The median income for a household in the city was $55,667, and the median income for a family was $65,465. Males had a median income of $37,098 versus $25,421 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,781. 14.0% of the population and 10.5% of families were below the poverty line. 19.6% of those under the age of 18 and 8.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

In the late 1950s, Rockford surpassed Peoria as the second largest city in Illinois by population, holding onto that position into the 21st century. In 2003, the status was changed as it was overtaken by Aurora after the results of a special census held by the latter city (as the two cities were not counted together, a direct comparison was not possible until the national census in 2010).

File:Cathedral of St. Peter - Rockford 02.jpg, the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford]]

According to 2010 figures, 20% of Winnebago County residents were Catholic, 19% Evangelical, 10% Mainline Protestant and 48% belonged to another faith or had no religion.{{cite web|title=The Association of Religious Data Archives|url=http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/r/c/17/rcms2010_17201_county_name_2010.asp|website=thearda.com|access-date=June 29, 2014}} The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford, several large evangelical and non-denominational churches, and several Lutheran and other Mainline Protestant congregations serve Rockford's Christian community. Rockford's Jewish community is served by a synagogue, the Muslim community by a mosque, the Sikhs by a temple, and its Buddhist community is served by two houses of worship.{{cite web|title=Community Directory|url=http://jewishrockford.org/directory.html|website=Jewish Federation of Greater Rockford|access-date=June 29, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113010832/http://jewishrockford.org/directory.html|archive-date=November 13, 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Vela|first1=Susan|title=Rock River Valley's Laotians Celebrate New Year|url=http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140517/News/140519399|website=RRstar.com|publisher=Rockford Register Star|access-date=June 29, 2014}}

As of January 2024,{{Cite web |year=2024 |title=City of Rockford, Illinois Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023. |url=https://rockfordil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3959/2023-ANNUAL-COMPREHENSIVE-FINANCIAL-REPORT?bidId= |access-date=February 17, 2025 |publisher=City of Rockford (IL) Finance Office |page=195}} the ten largest employers in Rockford, Illinois are:

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! Rank

! Company/organization name

! # of employees

|-

|1

|Rockford Public School District 205

| style="text-align: right;" |4,075

|-

|2

|UW Health (SwedishAmerican Hospital)

| style="text-align: right;" |3,780

|-

|3

|Mercy Health

|style="text-align: right;"|3,000

|-

|4

|OSF Healthcare (OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center)

| style="text-align: right;" |2,200

|-

|5

|UPS (Rockford Air Hub)

| style="text-align: right;" |2,000

|-

|6

|Collins Aerospace

|style="text-align: right;"|2,000

|-

|7

|Woodward, Inc.

| style="text-align: right;" |2,000

|-

|8

|Amazon

| style="text-align: right;" |1,535

|-

|9

|Walmart Stores

| style="text-align: right;" |1,470

|-

| 10

|Stellantis (Belvidere Assembly Plant)

| style="text-align: right;" |1,459

|}

{{Expand section|additional related content|date=April 2017}}

Mrs. Fisher's, a regional manufacturer of potato chips, was founded in Rockford.

File:Rockford Il Coronado10.jpg marquee in its Art Deco styling]]

File:Anderson Gardens tea house.JPG]]

File:Nicholas Conservatory interior.jpg]

Compared to Katowice by writer Leopold Tyrmand, Rockford possesses a wealth of notable architecture. The Lake-Peterson House, constructed by alderman John Lake in 1873 and preserved by Swedish industrialist Pehr August Peterson, is a notable example of Gothic Revival. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, it is used for the School of Medical Technology of the Rockford-based Swedish American Hospital.{{Cite web|url = http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM4033_Lake_Peterson_House_Rockford_Illinois|title = Lake-Peterson House|access-date = June 27, 2014|website = Waymarking|publisher = Groundspeak, Inc}}

Further Swedish influence on Rockford during the Victorian era is represented in the Erlander Home Museum, the base of the Swedish Historical Society. Swiss influence can be seen in the Tinker Swiss Cottage, which was opened as a museum under the park district in 1943 and was featured in an episode of Ghost Hunters in 2012.{{Cite web|url = http://www.swedishhistorical.org/pages/museum|title = Erlander Museum|access-date = June 27, 2014|website = Swedish Historical Society of Rockford, IL|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140614072918/http://www.swedishhistorical.org/pages/museum|archive-date = June 14, 2014|url-status = dead}}{{Cite web|url = http://www.rrstar.com/x887149241/Ghost-Hunters-episode-filmed-at-Tinker|title = 'Ghost Hunters' episode filmed in Rockford at Tinker Swiss Cottage|date = October 10, 2012|access-date = June 27, 2014|website = Rockford Register Star|last = Curry|first = Corina}}

Modern architectural movements, like Art Deco and Prairie School, are also integral to Rockford. Most renowned is the Coronado Theatre, a civic and entertainment center named one of 150 Great Places in Illinois by the American Institute of Architects. The theater is known for its blend of Art Deco with Spanish Baroque Revival and has hosted numerous performers over its lifetime, including the Marx Brothers, Frank Sinatra, and Bob Dylan.{{Cite web|url = http://www.illinoisgreatplaces.com|title = Coronado Theatre|access-date = June 27, 2014|website = American Institute of Architects}}

{{Cite web|url = http://www.lares-lexicon.com/installations/coronado.html|title = Coronado Theatre, Rockford, IL|access-date = June 27, 2014|website = Lares Associates|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151016172236/http://www.lares-lexicon.com/installations/coronado.html|archive-date = October 16, 2015|url-status = dead|df = mdy-all}} The 186-foot tall Faust Hotel complements the Coronado; constructed in 1929, it endures as Rockford's tallest building, albeit as apartments for the elderly and disabled. The Laurent House, a single-story Usonian home constructed in 1952 by Frank Lloyd Wright, is the only Wright building designed for a person with disabilities. Acquired by a private foundation from its commissioners, it was renovated into a museum in 2014.{{Cite web|url = http://www.architectmagazine.com/architecture/frank-lloyd-wrights-laurent-house-opens-as-museum-in-june_o.aspx|title = A Grand Opening for a "Little Gem"|date = May 9, 2014|access-date = June 27, 2014|website = Architect Magazine|last = Massie|first = Caroline}} The Rockford Area has two additional places named by the American Institute of Architects in the 150 Great Places, Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois and Poplar Grove United Methodist Church in Poplar Grove, Illinois.

Anderson Japanese Gardens, modeled after the Portland Japanese Garden and landscaped by Hoichi Kurisu, is 10 acres in size and features a teahouse and guesthouse in the sukiya-zukuri style. Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden is 155 acres in size and is noted for its selection of both indigenous and foreign plant species.{{Cite web|url = http://www.klehm.org/about-footer/mission-and-history/#.U64mHCS0bzI|title = Mission and History|access-date = June 27, 2014|website = Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden}}

The Burpee Museum of Natural History is home to the world's most complete juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex, Jane, as well as a Triceratops, Homer. The Discovery Center Museum, a children's museum featuring over 250 hands-on exhibits including a planetarium.{{Cite web|url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/01/30/12-best-childrens-museums-in-the-u-s/|title = 12 Best Children's Museums In The U.S.|date = January 30, 2012|access-date = June 27, 2014|website = Forbes|last = Olmsted|first = Larry}} The Burpee Museum and the Discovery Center Museum, along with the Rockford Art Museum and the bases for Northern Public Radio, the Rockford Dance Company, and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra make up the downtown Riverfront Museum Park complex. The last museum under the park district's authority is Midway Village and Museum Center, a recreation of a Victorian-era village. The eastern riverwalk of Rockford is maintained by the park district, featuring the [https://nicholasconservatory.com/ Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens]. Located on the bank of the Rock River, the conservatory is the third-largest in the state of Illinois. Just north of the gardens is Symbol, an Alexander Liberman sculpture moved from downtown during the 1980s and now one of Rockford's most recognizable features.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/ncg|title=Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens|website=Rockford Park District|access-date=June 27, 2014}}

In 2021, artist Rafael Blanco painted "Thinking of you Rockford" in Rockford, Illinois. The 22-foot by 77-foot piece{{cite web |title=Rafael Blanco Mural Description |url=https://www.gorockford.com/cre8iv/completed-murals/rafael-blanco/ |website=CRE8IV |access-date=November 11, 2021}} featured a young Black female dreaming alongside math and science illustrations.

• Rockford IceHogs (ice hockey; UHL 1999–2007, AHL 2007–present)
• Rockford Rivets (baseball; NWL 2015–present)
• Rockford Rage (women's roller derby; 2006–present){{cite web|url=http://www.rockfordrage.com/|title=Rockford Rage home page|year=2010|publisher=Rockford Rage|access-date=February 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426005849/http://rockfordrage.com/|archive-date=April 26, 2010|url-status=dead}}

• Rockford Forest Citys (baseball, 1871)
• Rockford Peaches (women's baseball; AAGPBL, 1943–1954)
• Rockford Lightning (basketball; CBA, 1986–2005)
• Rockford Aviators (baseball; Frontier League 2002–2009, Northern League 2010, Frontier League 2011–2015){{Cite web|url=http://www.rrstar.com/sports/x1543603657/RiverHawks-headed-to-Northern-League|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130111082400/http://www.rrstar.com/sports/x1543603657/RiverHawks-headed-to-Northern-League|url-status=dead|title=RiverHawks headed to Northern League|archivedate=January 11, 2013}}
• Rockford Rampage (indoor soccer; AISL 2005–2008, NISL 2008–2010)
• Rockford Fury (basketball; PBL, 2006–2008)
• Rockford Foresters (baseball; Midwest Collegiate League 2010–2013)

{{Main|Rockford Peaches}}

From 1943 to 1954, the Rockford Peaches were an inaugural team of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Playing home games at Beyer Stadium, the Peaches won league championships in 1945, 1948, 1949, and 1950; the four championships are the most of any league member. The team and the league itself were portrayed in the 1992 motion picture A League of Their Own.

[[File:Rockford - Sinnissippi Rose Garden.jpg|thumb|

Sinnissippi Rose Garden at the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, located alongside the Rock River.]]

The Rockford Park District serves Rockford and surrounding municipalities with 4,855 acres of parkland, 75 miles of paths and trails, and 82 playgrounds. Searls Park in Northwest Rockford contains a high quality remnant prairie registered as an Illinois Nature Preserve.{{Cite web |last=Heidorn |first=R. |date=2009 |title=Searls Park Prairie |url=https://dnr.illinois.gov/inpc/area.area1winnebagosearlsparkprairie.html |access-date= |website=Illinois Department of Natural Resources}} Paths in Rockford include the Mel Anderson Memorial path in Northwest Rockford, and the Rock River Rec Path on the east bank of the Rock River. Rockford Park District operates 2 outdoor pools in Rockford, Harkins Aquatic Center and Alpine Pool, and owns Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford, which is managed by Six Flags. The Rockford Park District also operates an ice rink, equestrian center, snow hill park, disk golf course in the city.{{Cite web |title=🔍 Locations Directory |url=https://rockfordparkdistrict.org/directory |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Rockford Park District |language=en-US}}

There are five golf courses in the city limits and two more that directly border the city. The Rockford Park District operates 4 municipal golf courses, Aldeen Golf Club,{{Cite web|url = http://www.aldeengolfclub.com/aldeen-golf-club/about-us/|title = About Aldeen Golf Club|access-date = June 27, 2014|website = Aldeen Golf Club|publisher = Rockford Public Schools|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150904110947/http://www.aldeengolfclub.com/aldeen-golf-club/about-us/|archive-date = September 4, 2015}} Ingersoll Golf Club, Sandy Hollow Golf Course, and Sinnissippi Golf Course. The Rockford Country Club is the only private golf course in city limits,{{Cite web |title=About - Rockford Country Club |url=https://www.rockfordcc.com/About_The_Club |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=www.rockfordcc.com}} but The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Country Club and Forest Hills Country Club directly border the city.

Davis Park is located in Downtown on the west bank of the Rock River, and is the only Park owned by the City of Rockford. As of 2025 the park is undergoing a 12 million dollar renovation to build an outdoor stage, skatepark, and accessible playground.{{Cite web |last=Haas |first=Kevin |date=2024-07-11 |title=Vision for Davis Park in Rockford includes a 'starry night' concert stage, skatepark and more {{!}} Rock River Current |url=https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2024/07/10/vision-for-davis-park-in-rockford-includes-a-starry-night-concert-stage-skatepark-and-more/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |language=en-US}}

{{Infobox UCR

|city_name=Rockford, Illinois

|year=2019

|homicide=6.0

|forcible_rape=67.2

|robbery=94.1

|aggravated_assault=467.2

|violent_crime=634.5

|burglary=425.4

|larceny_theft=1572.0

|motor_vehicle_theft=163.4

|arson=

|property_crime=2160.9

|source_url=https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/tables/table-6

|source_name=2019 FBI UCR Data

|notes=

}}

Since the creation of Winnebago County in 1836, Rockford has served as its county seat. Rockford is the largest Dillon's Rule municipality in Illinois, having revoked home rule in 1983. Along with a mayor (elected every four years), the Rockford City Council consists of 14 alderman (elected every 4 years), with the city divided into 14 wards.

In a fashion similar to other cities its size (or larger), local government is split into executive and legislative branches. The mayor of Rockford is chosen in a general election every four years. The Rockford City Council consists of 14 aldermen, individually elected from each ward in the city.

File:University of Illinois College of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rockford.jpg]]

File:Bengt Sjostrom Theatre Interior Rendering.jpg at Rock Valley College]]

Post-secondary schools located in Rockford include:

• Rockford University, a private 4-year school of just under 2000 students
• Rock Valley College, a 10,000-student community college
• Rockford Career College
• St. Anthony College of Nursing

Rockford contains satellite branches of:

• Judson University
• Northern Illinois University
• Rasmussen College{{cite web|url=http://www.rasmussen.edu|title=Rasmussen College - Regionally Accredited College Online and on Campus|access-date=July 4, 2016}}
• University of Illinois College of Medicine

Public education is administered by Rockford Public School District 205.{{cite web | title = About RPS 205 | publisher = Rockford Public Schools | url = https://www.rps205.com/about-rps-205 | accessdate = January 4, 2024}} The district contains 41 schools, approximately 27,700 students, and 4,071 employees.

High schools include Auburn High School, East High School, Guilford High School, and Jefferson High School

Private schools include Boylan Catholic High School, Keith Country Day School, Rockford Lutheran High School, and Rockford Iqra School.

{{Main|Media in Rockford, Illinois}}

Rockford is the 161st largest radio market in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/docs/nielsen-audio/market_populations_and_rankings_2016.pdf |title=Radio Market Survey Population, Rankings & Information |publisher=Nielsen |date=Spring 2016 |access-date=April 28, 2016}} It is ranked 136th by Nielsen Media Research for the 2015-2016 television season with 170,140 television households.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvb.org/media/file/2015-2016-dma-ranks.pdf |title=Nielsen Local Television Market Universe Estimates |publisher=Nielsen |date=Spring 2016 |access-date=April 28, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412161129/http://www.tvb.org/media/file/2015-2016-dma-ranks.pdf |archive-date=April 12, 2016 }}

The area is served by over 15 commercial radio stations, over 5 non-commercial radio stations, 2 low power FM radio stations, 5 TV stations and 1 daily newspaper.

• Interstate 39
• Interstate 90 (Jane Addams Memorial Tollway)
• U.S. Route 20 (Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Highway)
• U.S. Route 51
• Illinois Route 2 (South/North Main Street)
• Illinois Route 70 (Kilburn Avenue)
• Illinois Route 251 (North Second Street, Kishwaukee Street, Harrison Avenue, 11th Street)

The Rockford Mass Transit District provides fixed-route and paratransit service to Rockford, Loves Park, and Machesney Park. The 40 fixed route buses operate over 17 routes.{{cite web|url=http://www.rmtd.org/|title=Rockford Mass Transit District|website=www.rmtd.org}}

Greyhound Lines and Van Galder Bus Company provide intercity travel.

In April 2018, Rockford became included in the LimeBike bicycle-sharing network.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mystateline.com/news/500-limebikes-to-hit-stateline-streets-saturday-morning/1105513591|title=500 LimeBikes to hit stateline streets Saturday morning|last=Cormier|first=Gregory|date=April 7, 2018|work=MYSTATELINE|access-date=September 11, 2018|language=en-US}} Using 500 commuter bicycles supplied by the company, residents rent bicycles through a mobile app, unlocking the dockless bicycles.{{Cite news|url=http://www.rrstar.com/news/20180406/limebike-rolls-into-rockford-on-saturday|title=LimeBike rolls into Rockford on Saturday|last=Guerrero|first=Isaac|work=Rockford Register Star|access-date=September 11, 2018|language=en}} Distinguished by their bright green color, LimeBikes are equipped with a basket, lights, and GPS (to locate them for rental); one-speed and three-speed units are in use.

In early 2019, LimeBike was discontinued in Rockford; the company shifted its business model away from bicycles to e-scooters.

{{Main|Chicago Rockford International Airport}}

File:Main Terminal at Chicago-Rockford Int'l Airport.JPG]]

The first airport serving the Rockford area was Machesney Airport, located north of the city alongside US 51. Opened in 1927, the airport was initially a private airport; during World War II, it was utilized by the Army Air Corps. After the war, Machesney Airport was opened as a municipal airport. In 1974, the location was closed, becoming the site of the Machesney Park Mall in 1980.

After Camp Grant's final closure in 1946, the state legislature allowed for the establishment of an airport to serve Rockford, leading to the creation of the Greater Rockford Airport Authority (GRAA). In 1948, the GRAA received a 1500-acre portion of the Camp Grant property between US 51 and the Rock River, located between the southern border of the city and New Milford.

From the 1950s to 1970s, the Greater Rockford Airport served as a regional airport, with small airlines offering both turboprop and jet service. To further expand passenger service, the current passenger terminal was constructed in 1987. Competing against easy highway access (and bus service) to O'Hare International Airport, the airport struggled for passenger service during the 1990s, leading to the loss of passenger service from 2001 to 2003. Since 2003, the airport has restored passenger service, primarily marketing its location for leisure travelers. Following the closure of several airlines, the location is served by Allegiant Air as its passenger carrier. Following a 2005 upgrade, the passenger terminal was expanded in size in 2018.

During the 2000s, the airport underwent several name changes, adopting the current Chicago Rockford International Airport moniker in 2007. Among the fastest-growing freight airports in the world, full-scale cargo operations began in 1994 as United Parcel Service (UPS) opened an air package hub at the airport next to the terminal. Second only to Worldport in the UPS Airlines operations, the Rockford UPS hub operates on a separate 50-acre ramp (parking up to 40 aircraft at a time), accommodating up to a Boeing 747-8F.

Next to the UPS facilities, another cargo ramp was built in 2008, intended to attract additional cargo airlines. In 2016, the facilities were leased by ABX, intending to transfer freight from aircraft to trucks; the operations transitioned into flights for Amazon Air, who partners with ABX, ATI, and Atlas Air.{{Cite web |last=Braun |first=Georgette |date=September 9, 2016 |title=Boxes with Amazon's logo leave on plane today, marking watershed moment for Rockford airport |url=http://www.rrstar.com/news/20160909/boxes-with-amazons-logo-leave-on-plane-today-marking-watershed-moment-for-rockford-airport |access-date=August 15, 2018 |website=Rockford Register Star }}{{Cite web |last=Guerrero |first=Isaac |date=July 24, 2018 |title=Rockford airport moves up to nation's 22nd busiest cargo airport |url=http://www.rrstar.com/news/20180724/rockford-airport-moves-up-to-nations-22nd-busiest-cargo-airport |access-date=August 15, 2018 |website=Rockford Register Star }} The same year, AAR Corporation opened an FBO facility on the southern end of the airport, building hangars large enough to accommodate an Airbus A380. In 2021, cargo operations were expanded further, as the airport constructed an additional cargo-handling facility and cargo ramp, introducing service by German air cargo company Senator International, contracting 747s by Air Atlanta Icelandic. In 2022, Korean Air Cargo introduced cargo service from Seoul to Rockford on 777-300 freighters, becoming the longest flight from the airport.

For over four decades, the Rockford region has not been served by passenger rail. From 1974 to 1981, Rockford was served by Amtrak via its Black Hawk route, a daily train service from Dubuque, Iowa to Union Station in Chicago with a stop in Rockford. The Black Hawk was discontinued in September 1981 as part of funding cuts to Amtrak.

During the 2000s, interest increased in relinking the Rockford and Chicago regions by rail. In 2006, the Northern Illinois Commuter Transportation Initiative proposed extending Metra train service from the western Chicago suburbs to Rockford.{{cite news | url=http://www.rrstar.com/belvidere/x914621510 | title=All aboard? Commuter rail could take 3 to 5 years | work=Rockford Register Star | date=April 30, 2008 | first=Thomas V | last=Bona | access-date=April 30, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}} During the early 2010s, there was design work on a planned 2015 revival of the Black Hawk route on Canadian National rails,{{cite web|url=http://members.trainorders.com/dr04/BlackHawk/|title=Amtrak Black Hawk|access-date=July 16, 2012}} with Rockford as the initial terminus. As part of the ongoing Illinois financial crisis, state funding for the Black Hawk revival was suspended in February 2015, putting the project on hold.{{Cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-plan-for-amtrak-service-from-chicago-to-rockford-on-hold-20150209-story.html|title=Plan for Amtrak service from Chicago to Rockford on hold|agency=Associated Press|work=chicagotribune.com|access-date=July 17, 2017|language=en-US}} The service was later funded in 2019 with the support of Governor J.B. Pritzker. In 2023, it was announced that Metra would provide service to Rockford as an extension of the Milwaukee District West Line, with twice-daily service in each direction beginning in 2027.{{cite news |last1=Schobinger |first1=Meghan |title=Metra to bring rail service to Rockford, Belvidere in 2027 |url=https://www.wifr.com/2023/07/06/metra-bring-rail-service-rockford-belvidere-2027/ |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=WIFR-LD |date=July 6, 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Neveau |first1=James |title=Metra to restore rail service between Rockford, Chicago for first time in 40 years |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/metra-to-restore-rail-service-between-rockford-chicago-for-first-time-in-40-years/3181232/ |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=NBC Chicago |date=July 6, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Gov. Pritzker Announces Partnership with Metra to Restore Chicago-Rockford Passenger Rail Service |url=https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.26687.html |website=www.illinois.gov |access-date=July 6, 2023 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Chicago to Rockford {{!}} Illinois Passenger Rail |url=http://www.chicagotorockfordrail.org/ |website=www.chicagotorockfordrail.org |date=July 6, 2023}}

Rockford is served by several different freight railroad lines, the Union Pacific, the Canadian National, the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern (Canadian Pacific), and the Illinois Railway. The Union Pacific line from West Chicago terminates in Rockford at a small yard.

The Canadian National line from Addison enters from the Southeast and leaves in the Northwest. They have a small yard where they interchange with the Illinois Railway. The Illinois Railway Rockford Line comes from the South, joins the Canadian National line, where they continue on trackage rights to the Canadian National yard. Canadian Pacific (Iowa, Chicago, and Eastern) runs on Illinois Railway trackage rights from Davis Junction, and leaves on their own trackage to the North. All of the railroads interchange at a yard off of Main Street.

The Union Pacific Railroad's Global III Intermodal Facility is approximately {{convert|25|mi|km|0}} south of Rockford in Rochelle, Illinois, a community of 10,000. The complex is one of the world's largest intermodal facilities.{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}} Construction on the state-of-the-art facility was completed in 2003 in Rochelle due to the close proximity to four interstate highways (I-39, I-88, I-80, and I-90) and rail routes.

{{Main|List of people from Rockford, Illinois}}

Jennifer Egan's 2001 novel Look At Me is primarily set in Rockford, with the history of the city acting as a major theme.

The 10th episode of Supernatural season 1 (2005), "Asylum," is set in Rockford.

Bing Liu's documentary film Minding the Gap (2018) is set in Rockford.

Rockford's sister cities are:{{cite web |title=Sister Cities|url=https://www.gorockford.com/plan-your-trip/international-visitors/sister-cities/|website=gorockford.com|publisher=Rockford Area|access-date=April 28, 2021}}

• Brovary, Ukraine (1995)
• Changzhou, China (1999)
• Borgholm, Sweden (2002)
• Cluj-Napoca, Romania (2005)
• Ferentino, Italy (2006)
• Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan (2006)
• Taszár, Hungary (2007)

Lidköping and Skaraborg County in Sweden have the Industrial Partnership Agreement with Rockford. The two regions work together with growing locally by working globally.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

{{portal|Illinois}}

• Irish Marching Society
• Rockford Pro-Am Golf Tournament
• Harlem Park amusement park and Chautauqua site 1891-1928

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• Hillary, Michael Lee. Religion, immigrant churches, and community in an industrializing city: Swedish Protestants in Rockford, Illinois, 1854–1925 (PhD dissertation, Columbia University; ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2005. 3151265).
• Sutrina, Katie. "The 'Rosies' of Rockford: Working Women in Two Rockford Companies in the Depression and World War II Eras," Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, 102 (Fall–Winter 2009), 402–28.

{{commons category}}

{{wikivoyage|Rockford}}

{{NSRW Poster|Rockford, Ill.}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.gorockford.com/ Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau]

{{Rockford, Illinois}}

{{Ogle County, Illinois}}

{{Winnebago County, Illinois}}

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Rockford

|North = Loves Park

|Northeast = Machesney Park

|East = Belvidere

|Southeast = Cherry Valley

|South = New Milford

|Southwest = Byron
Stillman Valley

|West = Winnebago

|Northwest = Durand

}}

{{Illinois county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1834 establishments in Illinois

Category:Cities in Illinois

Category:Cities in Ogle County, Illinois

Category:Cities in Winnebago County, Illinois

Category:County seats in Illinois

Category:Populated places established in 1834

Category:Rockford metropolitan area, Illinois

Category:Majority-minority cities and towns in Winnebago County, Illinois