Rockford, Illinois facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rockford
City
West Downtown Rockford Historic District Coronado Theatre Rock River Tinker Swiss Cottage Burpee Museum of Natural History
Flag Seal Wordmark
Nicknames:  The Forest City, The Screw Capital of the World, Fastener Capital of the World, Reaper City
Motto(s):  "The Government Closest to the People"
Rockford Location in Illinois Show map of Illinois Rockford Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Illinois
Counties	Winnebago and Ogle
Township	Rockford
Incorporated	1839 (as a town) January 3, 1852 (as a city)
Government
• Type	Mayor-council government
• Body	Rockford City Council
Area
• City	65.92 sq mi (170.74 km2)
• Land	64.91 sq mi (168.11 km2)
• Water	1.01 sq mi (2.63 km2)
Elevation	728 ft (222 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	148,655
• Rank	185th in the United States 5th in Illinois
• Density	2,290.24/sq mi (884.27/km2)
• Urban	276,443 (US: 148th)
• Urban density	2,065.9/sq mi (797.6/km2)
• Metro	338,798 (US: 155th)
Demonym(s)	Rockfordian
GDP
• Metro	$18.129 billion (2022)
Time zone	UTC−6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes	61101–61110, 61112, 61114, 61125, 61126
Area codes	815 and 779
FIPS code	17-65000

Rockford is a city in Illinois, United States. It is located in northern Illinois, right on the Rock River. Rockford is the main city of Winnebago County, Illinois, though a small part is in Ogle County.

In 2020, about 148,655 people lived in Rockford. This makes it the fifth-largest city in Illinois. It is also the biggest city in the state outside of the Chicago metropolitan area. The larger Rockford area, including nearby towns, had about 338,798 residents in 2020.

Rockford was first settled in the 1830s. It was called Midway because it was halfway between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. This location was great for factories and businesses. In the late 1800s, Rockford became famous for making heavy machines, tools, and hardware. By the early 1900s, it was the second-biggest furniture-making center in the U.S.

Like many cities in the "Rust Belt" (areas that used to have a lot of factories), Rockford faced challenges in the late 1900s. But since the 1990s, the city has worked to grow new industries. These include car parts, aerospace (things that fly), and healthcare. Rockford has also worked to bring in tourists and make its downtown area lively again.

Rockford is known as "the Forest City" because it used to have many trees. It has many cool places to visit. These include Anderson Japanese Gardens, Klehm Arboretum, and the Burpee Museum of Natural History. The city also has famous music groups like Cheap Trick and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps.

History of Rockford

Early Settlement and Growth

Winnebago County War Memorial

Rockford Station, around 1890

Rockford started in 1834 as two small settlements called Midway. They were on both sides of the Rock River. On the west side, Germanicus Kent and Thatcher Blake (with his slave Lewis Lemon) started Kentville. Daniel Shaw Haight settled the east side. The name "Midway" came from being halfway between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. In 1836, Winnebago County was created, and Midway became its main town.

In 1837, Midway was renamed Rockford. This name came from a "rocky river crossing" over the Rock River. That same year, Rockford got its first post office. In 1847, Rockford University was founded as Rockford Female Seminary. On January 3, 1852, Rockford officially became a city. A year later, the nickname "Forest City" was first used. Also in 1852, a railroad connected Rockford to Chicago.

Many early settlers came from the northeastern United States. They were similar to people in other parts of northern Illinois. After the Black Hawk War, more people moved to the area. Rockford was seen as a cultural extension of New England.

In the 1850s, new industries came to Rockford. In 1853, John Henry Manny moved to Rockford. He made horse-drawn reapers for farmers. These machines helped farmers harvest crops. Swedish furniture companies also started factories in the city. The Rockford Union Furniture Company helped make Rockford the second-biggest furniture maker in the U.S.

During the American Civil War, soldiers from Rockford were among the first to join. The city also had Camp Fuller, a training site for soldiers.

In 1884, Rockford started its first public school district. They built Rockford Central High School in 1885. The Rockford Female Seminary became Jane Addams's school in 1881. It later became Rockford College in 1892. The Mendelssohn Club, the oldest music club in the U.S., was founded in 1884. A Carnegie library opened in 1902, starting Rockford's public library system. In 1903, the Winnebago County Veterans Memorial Hall was dedicated. President Theodore Roosevelt was there for the event.

Rockford in the 20th Century

John F. Kennedy campaigning in downtown Rockford, 1960

Rockford in 1936

The 1900s brought many changes to Rockford's population. More people from Italy, Poland, Lithuania, and African Americans moved to the city. During World War I, Camp Grant was a training site for soldiers. The USS Rockford, a Navy ship named after the city, was used in World War II.

The Coronado Theatre opened in 1927. It is known for its beautiful design. The theater has hosted many famous performers. In the late 1950s, Rockford lost many trees to Dutch elm disease. This changed the look of the "Forest City."

From 1955 to 1965, Rockford grew a lot. A new four-lane highway, US 20 bypass, was built. Interstate 90 was also completed nearby. In 1963, Chrysler Corporation chose the Rockford area for a car assembly plant. This plant, the Belvidere Assembly Plant, became a major employer.

Rockford's schools also grew. In 1955, Rockford College (now Rockford University) started allowing both male and female students. It moved to a new campus in 1964. In 1964, Rock Valley College was founded as a two-year community college.

Over time, shopping moved away from downtown Rockford. New malls like North Towne Mall and Colonial Village opened. In 1973, Cherryvale Mall opened as the city's first fully enclosed mall. It was located outside the city center.

In the 1970s, efforts began to improve downtown Rockford. The city tried to make some downtown streets into a pedestrian mall. In 1981, the MetroCentre arena opened. This large arena hosts many events.

Rockford faced tough times in the early 1980s. Many people lost their jobs. Train service to the city also ended in 1981. The Coronado Theatre stopped showing movies in 1984. It then focused only on live shows.

In 1989, the Rockford Public School District closed several schools. The district was later found to have treated minority students unfairly. From 1993 to 2001, the school district worked to make its schools fair for all students. This cost a lot of money.

Rockford in the 21st Century

In the 2000s, people worked to improve downtown Rockford. The Coronado Theatre was renovated and reopened in 2001. The BMO Harris Bank Center also got a big renovation in 2008. In 2009, the downtown pedestrian mall was removed. This brought Main Street back to two-lane traffic.

Rockford has also worked to grow new industries. These include fasteners (like screws), car parts (for the Belvidere Assembly Plant), and aerospace companies. In 2016, AAR Corporation opened a maintenance facility at the Rockford airport. It can work on very large planes like the Boeing 747-8.

All three major hospitals in Rockford have expanded their facilities. This has made healthcare a big part of the city's economy. In 2019, MercyHealth opened a new, very large hospital.

In July 2024, Rockford experienced a very heavy rain event. This caused major flooding in the city.

Geography of Rockford

Rockford covers about 65.92 square miles (170.74 square kilometers). Most of this area is land.

The city is about 90 miles (145 km) west of downtown Chicago. It is also about 70 miles (113 km) south of Madison.

Waterways in Rockford

Fordham Dam across Rock River

The Rock River is the most important natural feature in Rockford. It runs right through the middle of the city. The Kishwaukee River, a large river, joins the Rock River at the south end of Rockford. Many areas along the Kishwaukee River are now parks and forest preserves. Other smaller streams like Spring Creek, Keith Creek, and Kent Creek also flow into the Rock River. The Fordham Dam is located on the Rock River, south of downtown.

Rockford's Climate

Summers in Rockford are usually hot and humid. The average high temperature in July is about 83.9°F (28.8°C). Winters can be very cold. The average high temperature in January is about 29.1°F (-1.6°C). June is usually the wettest month, and January is the driest. Rockford typically gets about 37.24 inches (946 mm) of rain each year.

Rockford often has strong thunderstorms in spring and early summer. These storms can bring hail and strong winds. In 1967, a powerful tornado hit nearby Belvidere, causing much damage. Heavy snowstorms are also common in winter. Blizzards happen often. The snowiest winter on record was 1978–1979, when 74.5 inches (189 cm) of snow fell.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Rockford was 112°F (44°C) in 1936. The coldest was -31°F (-35°C) in 2019.

Rockford's Population and People

Population in 2020

In 2010, there were 152,871 people living in Rockford. The city had 66,700 households. Rockford is the center of its own metropolitan area. Most residents were White (65.1%), followed by African American (20.5%). About 15.8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average income for a household in Rockford was $55,667. For families, it was $65,465. About 14.0% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Religion in Rockford

Cathedral of Saint Peter, a main church for Catholics in Rockford

In 2010, many people in Winnebago County were Catholic (20%). Others were Evangelical (19%) or Mainline Protestant (10%). About 48% belonged to other faiths or had no religion. Rockford has many churches for Christians. There is also a synagogue for the Jewish community. A mosque serves the Muslim community. Sikhs have a temple, and Buddhists have two places of worship.

Rockford's Economy

Major Employers in Rockford

As of January 2017, these were the largest employers in Rockford:

Other Industries in Rockford

Mrs. Fisher's, a company that makes potato chips, started in Rockford.

Arts and Culture in Rockford

Coronado Theatre marquee with its Art Deco style

Tea house inside Anderson Japanese Gardens

Nicholas Conservatory

Rockford has many interesting buildings. The Lake-Peterson House, built in 1873, is a great example of Gothic Revival style. It is now used by the School of Medical Technology.

The Erlander Home Museum shows the influence of Swedish people in Rockford's history. The Tinker Swiss Cottage shows Swiss influence. It opened as a museum in 1943.

Modern building styles are also important in Rockford. The Coronado Theatre is very famous. It mixes Art Deco with Spanish Baroque Revival styles. Many famous performers have been there. The Faust Hotel, built in 1929, is Rockford's tallest building. It is now apartments for older and disabled people. The Laurent House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1952. It is the only Wright building made for someone with disabilities. It became a museum in 2014.

Anderson Japanese Gardens is a beautiful 10-acre garden. It has a teahouse and guesthouse. Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a 155-acre garden. It has many different kinds of plants.

The Burpee Museum of Natural History has a very complete young Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton named Jane. It also has a Triceratops skeleton named Homer. The Discovery Center Museum is a children's museum. It has over 250 hands-on exhibits and a planetarium. These museums, along with the Rockford Art Museum, are part of the downtown Riverfront Museum Park.

The Midway Village and Museum Center is like a recreated Victorian-era village. The Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens is on the Rock River. It is the third-largest conservatory in Illinois. Just north of the gardens is Symbol, a large sculpture that is now a well-known feature of Rockford.

In 2021, artist Rafael Blanco painted a large mural called "Thinking of you Rockford." It shows a young Black girl dreaming with math and science pictures.

Sports in Rockford

Current Sports Teams

• Rockford IceHogs (ice hockey; playing since 1999)
• Rockford Rivets (baseball; playing since 2015)
• Rockford Rage (women's roller derby; playing since 2006)

Historic Sports Teams

• Rockford Forest Citys (baseball, 1871)
• Rockford Peaches (women's baseball; 1943–1954)
• Rockford Lightning (basketball; 1986–2005)
• Rockford Aviators (baseball; 2002–2015)
• Rockford Rampage (indoor soccer; 2005–2010)
• Rockford Fury (basketball; 2006–2008)
• Rockford Foresters (baseball; 2010–2013)

The Rockford Peaches

The Rockford Peaches were one of the first teams in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. They played their home games at Beyer Stadium. The Peaches won four league championships (1945, 1948, 1949, and 1950). This is more than any other team in the league. The team and the league were featured in the 1992 movie A League of Their Own.

Parks and Recreation in Rockford

The Rockford Park District manages Aldeen Golf Club, which is a public golf course.

Education in Rockford

Colleges and Universities

Rockford Campus of the University of Illinois College of Medicine

Bengt Sjostrom Theatre at Rock Valley College

Schools for higher education in Rockford include:

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

Rockford also has smaller campuses of:

• Judson University
• Northern Illinois University
• Rasmussen College
• University of Illinois College of Medicine

Public Schools

Public schools in Rockford are run by Rockford Public School District 205. The district has 41 schools and about 27,700 students.

High schools include:

• Auburn High School
• East High School
• Guilford High School
• Jefferson High School

Private Schools

Private schools in Rockford include:

• Boylan Catholic High School
• Keith Country Day School
• Rockford Lutheran High School
• Rockford Iqra School

Media in Rockford

Rockford is a large market for radio and television. It has over 15 commercial radio stations and 5 non-commercial radio stations. There are also 5 TV stations and one daily newspaper.

Transportation in Rockford

Roads and Highways

Major roads and highways in Rockford include:

• 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)

Bus Services

The Rockford Mass Transit District offers bus services in Rockford and nearby towns. They have 40 buses that run on 17 routes.

For travel between cities, you can use Greyhound Lines and Van Galder Bus Company.

Bicycle Sharing

In April 2018, Rockford started a bicycle-sharing program with LimeBike. People could rent bright green bikes using a phone app. However, LimeBike stopped its service in Rockford in early 2019.

Air Travel

Main terminal at Chicago Rockford International Airport

The first airport in the Rockford area was Machesney Airport, opened in 1927. It was later closed.

After World War II, the Greater Rockford Airport Authority was created. In 1948, they got land from Camp Grant to build a new airport. This airport became the Chicago Rockford International Airport in 2007.

The airport has grown a lot for cargo flights. In 1994, United Parcel Service (UPS) opened a large air package hub there. It is the second-largest UPS air hub. In 2016, Amazon Air started using the airport for its cargo flights. The airport continues to expand its cargo operations.

Train Services

Passenger Trains

Rockford has not had regular passenger train service for over 40 years. From 1974 to 1981, Amtrak ran the Black Hawk train. It went from Dubuque, Iowa, to Chicago, stopping in Rockford. This service ended in 1981.

There has been interest in bringing passenger trains back to Rockford. In 2006, there was a plan to extend Metra train service from Chicago suburbs to Rockford. In 2019, funding was approved to bring back the Black Hawk route. In 2023, it was announced that Metra would provide service to Rockford by 2027.

Freight Trains

Several freight train lines serve Rockford. These include the Union Pacific, the Canadian National, and the Illinois Railway. These lines help move goods in and out of the city.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a very large cargo facility about 25 miles (40 km) south of Rockford in Rochelle, Illinois. This facility helps move goods between trains and trucks.

Famous People from Rockford

Rockford's Sister Cities

Rockford has special partnerships with cities around the world. These are called sister cities:

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

Rockford also has an Industrial Partnership Agreement with Lidköping and Skaraborg County in Sweden. They work together to help local businesses grow globally.

See also

In Spanish: Rockford (Illinois) para niños