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Rockford, IL

Rockford, Illinois
City
Overview of eastern downtown Rockford.jpg
Downtown Rockford including the Rock River and the Jefferson Street Bridge
Coat of arms
Motto: "The Government Closest To The People"
Nickname: The Forest City
Country United States
State Illinois
County Winnebago
Township Rockford
River Rock River
Elevation 728 ft (222 m)
Coordinates 42°15′34″N 89°03′52″W / 42.25944°N 89.06444°W / 42.25944; -89.06444Coordinates: 42°15′34″N 89°03′52″W / 42.25944°N 89.06444°W / 42.25944; -89.06444
Area 61.95 sq mi (160 km2)
 - land 61.08 sq mi (158 km2)
 - water 0.87 sq mi (2 km2)
Population 148,278 (2014)
 - metro 344,623
Density 2,502.8/sq mi (966/km2)
Incorporated 1839 (as a town), 1852 (as a city)
Mayor Larry J. Morrissey (I)
Timezone CST (UTC-6)
 - summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Postal code 61101-61110, 61112, 61114, 61125, 61126
Area code 815, 779
Winnebago County Illinois incorporated and unincorporated areas Rockford highlighted.svg
Location in Winnebago County and the state of Illinois.
Website: ci.rockford.il.us
Rockford, Illinois
Crime rates* (2013)
Violent crimes
Homicide 7.5
Forcible rape 57.7
Robbery 132.5
Aggravated assault 513.3
Total violent crime 711.1
Property crimes
Burglary 789.7
Larceny-theft 2055.6
Motor vehicle theft 145.0
Total property crime 2990.4
Notes

*Number of reported crimes per 100,000 population.


Source: 2013 FBI UCR Data

Rockford is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, the 171st most populous city in the United States, the largest city in Illinois outside of the Chicago metropolitan area, and the city of the 148th most populous metropolitan area in the United States. It is the county seat of Winnebago County and is located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. According to 2010 census data, the City of Rockford had a population of 152,871, with an outlying metropolitan area population of 348,360, which was estimated to have decreased to 150,251 and 344,623, respectively, by July 2013.

Settled between 1834 and 1835, Rockford was strategically positioned between Chicago and Galena and thus became suitable for industrial development. Rockford was notable for its output of heavy machinery and tools; by the twentieth century, it was the second leading center of furniture manufacturing in the nation, and 94th largest city. Its decline, emblematic of other cities in the Rust Belt, led to economic diversification into automotive, aerospace, and healthcare industries, as well as the undertaking of various tourism and downtown revitalization efforts.

Referred to as the Forest City, Rockford is known for various venues of cultural or historical significance, including Anderson Japanese Gardens, Klehm Arboretum, Tinker Swiss Cottage, the BMO Harris Bank Center, the Coronado Theatre, the Laurent House, and the Burpee Museum of Natural History. Its contributions to music are noted in the Mendelssohn Club, the oldest music club in the nation, and performers such as Phantom Regiment and Cheap Trick.


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