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Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2000 U.S. census, the city was home to 150,115 people, while in the 2008 estimate, it was said to have a population of 157,272. The metropolitan area has 339,178 residents as of the 2000 census. During the latter part of the 20th century Rockford was the second largest city in Illinois and is currently the largest city in Illinois outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area. The current mayor is Lawrence J. Morrissey, an independent re-elected to a second four-year term in April 2009.

Rockford Education
Although Rockford is located in a large metropolitan area, the region does not feature any locally-based public 4-year universities; the closest such institution is Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, 45 miles away. Along with Rockford College (a private 4-year school), the city is the home to Rock Valley College (a 10,000-student community college), Rockford Business College (re-branded as Rockford Career College in 2009), and St. Anthony College of Nursing.

In addition, it hosts several satellite branches of other schools, including Judson University (based in Elgin), Northern Illinois University (based in DeKalb), Rasmussen College, and the University of Illinois College of Medicine (based in Chicago).

Rockford College is best known for graduating Jane Addams, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 for her efforts to promote international peace and justice. Laura Jane Addams (1860–1935) entered what was then Rockford Female Seminary in 1877 and became the first graduate to receive a B.A. degree from the newly accredited baccalaureate institution in 1882 (the school was renamed Rockford College in 1892).

Rock Valley College is a community college with several locations in the Rockford area. The main campus is the site of the Bengt Sjostrom Theatre. The former outdoor theatre now features a motorized retractable roof constructed during 2003.

The Rockford Public School District covers about 170 square miles and serves over 27,000 students. It is the third largest school district in the state, with 40 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and four high schools (Jefferson, Guilford, Rockford East High School, and Auburn). The district has seen heavy criticism over the past 30 years, as aging schools have become an issue, and several legal issues have drained the district's resources.

In addition to its public school system, Rockford supports 27 sectarian and nonsectarian private schools ranging from elementary to secondary education.

Rockford Economy
The Rockford economy has suffered since the decline of the manufacturing industry in the late 1980s. Once a national leader in manufacturing and industry, the focus of the local economy has been forced to change. Many of the family-owned companies that once inhabited Rockford were acquired by larger companies; the larger companies then relocated the products being made to lower wage parts of the United States or sent them overseas altogether. The city's new focus relies on high-technology businesses, tourism generated by museums and its park system, and the westward growth of the Chicago metropolitan area.

On September 28, 2007, Rick Nielsen, lead guitarist of the rock band Cheap Trick, announced plans for a $25 Million restaurant and hotel on the city's far northeast side called "Rick's." The restaurant would have a music theme featuring thousands of guitars and memorabilia that Mr. Nielsen has collected. Groundbreaking was expected in late 2007 with a grand opening in the second half of 2008. As of 2010, this project has not yet materialized.

Rockford IL Area Information

Rockford IL Community Characteristics and Facts

Total Crime Risk: 144.0 (100 = National Average)
Population: 147,790
Population Growth Since 2000: -1.55%
Annual Max Avg. Temperature: 58 F
Annual Min Avg. Temperature: 38 F
Male Median Age: 34.5 years
Female Median Age: 38.1 years
Median Household Income: $45,912
Highest Education Level Attained: High School 32.47%, Bachelors 14.92%, Grad School 8.1%

Community Demographics

Rockford IL Demographics Summary

Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Demographic Information FAQ

Rockford IL Crime Rate Indexes

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2010 Population Growth and Population Statistics	Rockford, IL		Illinois
Total Population	147,790		12,951,671
Square Miles	98.73		55,583.58
Population Density	1,496.90		233.00
Population Change Since 1990	2.05%		13.30%
Population Change Since 2000	-1.55%		4.29%
Forecasted Population Change by 2014	-3.45%		2.83%
Population Male	71,932	48.67%	6,402,795	49.44%
Population Female	75,858	51.33%	6,548,876	50.56%
Median Age	36.30		34.80

Rockford IL Population Growth and Population Statistics

Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Demographic Information FAQ

2010 Weather Summary	Rockford, IL	Illinois
Weather Index	31	59
Annual Maximum Avg. Temperature	58.0 °F	61.0 °F
Annual Minimum Avg. Temperature	38.0 °F	42.0 °F
Annual Avg. Temperature	47.7 °F	51.1 °F
Annual Heating Degree Days (Tot Degrees < 65)	6,969	6,050
Annual Cooling Degree Days (Tot Degrees > 65)	702	1,011
Percent of Possible Sunshine	52	57
Mean Sky Cover (Sunrise to Sunset - Out of 10)	6	6
Mean Number of Days Clear (Out of 365 Days)	93	99
Mean Number of Days Rain (Out of 365 Days)	118	115
Mean Number of Days Snow (Out of 365 Days)	11	8
Avg. Annual Precipitation (Total Inches)	36.00"	36.00"
Avg. Annual Snowfall (Total Inches)	35.00"	27.00"