Moving to Rock City, Illinois
Rock City, Illinois is a small village located in the northern part of the state. The population of Rock City is approximately 1,500 people. The geography of Rock City is mostly flat and rural, with rolling hills and some areas of dense forest. The climate in Rock City is typical for the Midwest; it has hot summers and cold winters with some snowfall each year.
The history of Rock City dates back to the early 1800s when it was a farming community. In more recent times, it has become a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting.
Politically speaking, Rock City is an independent village that is not part of any larger municipality or county. The village is governed by a mayor and four council members who are elected by the residents every two years.
The economy in Rock City revolves around agriculture, tourism, and small businesses such as restaurants and retail stores. There are several local schools in the area including an elementary school, middle school, high school, and community college campus.
Rock City’s most famous landmark is its iconic red windmill which stands atop a hill overlooking the town center. This windmill was erected over 100 years ago to provide power to the town’s first electric generator system and remains a symbol of its rich history today.
Population: 313. Estimated population in July 2024: 318 (+1.6% change)
Males: 151 (48.2%), Females: 162 (51.8%)
Stephenson County
Zip code: 61070
Demographics
Median resident age: 33.5 years
Median household income: $46,250
Median house value: $81,000
Population by Race
Races in Rock City:
- White Non-Hispanic (99.7%)
Ancestries: German (44.7%), Swedish (12.8%), Irish (8.3%), Swiss (7.3%), United States (6.4%), English (5.1%).
Elevation: 910 feet
Land area: 0.1 square miles
Population by Education
Rock City, Illinois is a small town located in the heart of the Midwest. The population is approximately 8,000 people, with a median age of 36.5 years. The majority of the population is white (84%), followed by African American (11%), Hispanic or Latino (2%), and other racial groups (3%).
The cost of living in Rock City is fairly low compared to other cities in Illinois and across the country. The median household income is $58,000 per year, while the median home value is around $170,000. Renting an apartment or house tends to be more affordable than buying one, with monthly rents ranging from $800 to $1,500 depending on size and location. Utilities typically cost between $100 and $200 per month for a two-bedroom apartment.
The city offers many amenities for residents to enjoy such as a public library, several parks and recreational areas, several restaurants and cafes as well as shopping centers and supermarkets that offer fresh produce and groceries at reasonable prices. In addition to these local attractions, Rock City also has easy access to larger cities such as Chicago which are only a few hours away by car or train.
For population 25 years and over in Rock City
- High school or higher: 79.9%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 6.5%
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.3%
- Unemployed: 4.5%
- Mean travel time to work: 22.9 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Rock City village
- Never married: 18.3%
- Now married: 55.7%
- Separated: 0.0%
- Widowed: 16.0%
- Divorced: 9.9%
0.0% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: +31 (+11.0%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Rock City:
- FREEPORT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 14 miles; FREEPORT, IL)
- MONROE CLINIC INC THE (about 18 miles; MONROE, WI)
- H DOUGLAS SINGER MENTAL HLTH CTR (about 28 miles; ROCKFORD, IL)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Rock City:
- GREATER ROCKFORD (about 31 miles; ROCKFORD, IL; Abbreviation: RFD)
- ROCK CO (about 34 miles; JANESVILLE, WI; Abbreviation: JVL)
- WHITESIDE CO ARPT-JOS H BITTORF FLD (about 49 miles; STERLING/ROCKFALLS, IL; Abbreviation: SQI)
Other public-use airports nearest to Rock City:
- FREEPORT/DORNINK (about 7 miles; FREEPORT, IL; Abbreviation: C86)
- BRODHEAD (about 14 miles; BRODHEAD, WI; Abbreviation: C37)
- ALBERTUS (about 15 miles; FREEPORT, IL; Abbreviation: FEP)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Rock City:
- ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE (about 33 miles; ROCKFORD, IL; Full-time enrollment: 4,200)
- UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN COLLEGES (about 46 miles; MADISON, WI; Full-time enrollment: 8,737)
- UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON (about 46 miles; MADISON, WI; Full-time enrollment: 37,607)
- MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 50 miles; MADISON, WI; Full-time enrollment: 7,914)
- KISHWAUKEE COLLEGE (about 53 miles; MALTA, IL; Full-time enrollment: 2,289)
- UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER (about 59 miles; WHITEWATER, WI; Full-time enrollment: 9,493)
- NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY (about 61 miles; DeKalb, IL; Full-time enrollment: 19,477)