Rockford, Illinois

Rockford, Illinois
City
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
Location in Winnebago County and the state of Illinois.
Website: ci.rockford.il.us

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.