Overview

Introduction to Rock Falls, Illinois

Located in Whiteside county, Rock Falls, Illinois, is 45 miles SW of Rockford, Illinois (center to center) and 105 miles W of Chicago, Illinois.

Rock Falls History

The locational advantage of Rock Falls on the Rock River attracted the early settlers, who established a territory called Rapids City in 1837. The first permanent citizen of the area was Isaac Merill. In 1854, the Sterling Hydraulic Company constructed a dam to generate hydel power. Ten years later, Mr. A.P. Smith moved from New York to the area and founded the city of Rock Falls. The city's first post office was opened on March 15, 1868, with Truman Culver as the postmaster.

Rock Falls and nearby Attractions

  • Lyndon Historical Society and Museum
  • John Deere Historic Site
  • Castle Rock State Park
  • Ronald Reagan's Birthcity
  • Green River State Wildlife Area
  • Franklin Creek State Park

Things To Do In Rock Falls

The city has more than ten parks which include Castle Rock State park, Franklin Creek State Park, and Lowden State Park. The Lyndon Historical Society and Museum showcases the history of Rock Falls. The John Deere Historic Site and Ronald Reagan's Birthcity are nearby. In addition, the Green River State Wildlife Area provides activities such as camping and trailing.

Rock Falls Transportation

Quad City International Airport is the closest airport to the city.

Rock Falls Higher Education

Higher education is available at Illinois Valley Community College, Kishwaukee College, and Rock Valley College.

Demographics

People

Total Population8,911
Male Share of the Population49%
Female Share of the Population51%
Senior Citizens17.5%
Employed Population 16+4,019
Age of the Population40

Families

% of people married45%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher10.2%
Median Earnings25+$26,588
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$30,536
Median Earnings With High School Degree$25,551

Wealth

Median Family Income$52,887
% Above Poverty Level82.9%
% Below Poverty Level17.1%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time20 minutes
% Working from Home3.3%
% Walking and Biking to Work3%
% Using Public Transportation0.3%

Housing

People Living Alone32.2%
Median Gross Rent$707
Median House Value$75,700

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)25.3%
Irish10.6%
English7.2%
Italian5.4%
Dutch3.5%
Polish2.5%
French Except Basque2.2%
Swedish1.7%
Norwegian1.6%
Scottish1.2%
Canadian1.1%
Belgian0.6%
Danishn0.5%
Czech0.4%
Austrian0.4%
Slovak0.3%
Greek0.3%
German0.3%
Romanian0.2%
Bulgarian0.2%
Ethiopian0.1%
Welsh0.1%
African0.1%
Maltese0.1%
Israeli0.1%
Portuguese0.1%
Lithuanian0.1%
Finnish0.1%
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Rock Falls Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyWhiteside County
Standard Zip Codes61071
Phone Area Codes815
Time ZoneAmerica/Chicago
Approximate Latitude41.77
Approximate Longitude-89.69

Rock Falls Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationDIXON 1 NW
Distance10.9 miles
Jan Temp10 to 26 F
Apr Temp37 to 58 F
Jul Temp62 to 82 F
Oct Temp39 to 62 F
Annual Precip37.2 inches
StationWALNUT
Distance16.5 miles
Jan Temp11 to 28 F
Apr Temp39 to 59 F
Jul Temp64 to 83 F
Oct Temp41 to 63 F
Annual Precip36.5 inches
StationMOUNT CARROLL
Distance26.8 miles
Jan Temp8 to 29 F
Apr Temp35 to 60 F
Jul Temp59 to 85 F
Oct Temp36 to 64 F
Annual Precip37.8 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Coleta212$105,000
Harmon127$44,583
Lyndon638$44,821
Nelson137$36,250
Sterling14,810$58,664

Rock Falls Public Libraries

Rock Falls Public Library District
1007 SEVENTH AVENUE
Rock Falls, Illinois
(815) 626-3958

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Rock Falls Public Schools

Dillon Elementary School
1901 8th Ave
ZIP: 61071
(815) 625-3356
Primary
Total Enrollment 325
East Coloma - Nelson Elem Sch
1602 Dixon Rd
ZIP: 61071
(815) 625-4400
Primary
Total Enrollment 287
Merrill Elem School
600 4th Ave
ZIP: 61071
(815) 625-4634
Primary
Total Enrollment 333
Montmorency Ccsd #145
9415 Hoover Rd
ZIP: 61071
(815) 625-6616
Primary
Total Enrollment 300
Riverdale Preschool Center
3505 Prophet Rd
ZIP: 61071
(815) 625-5280
Primary
Total Enrollment 159
Rock Falls Middle School
1701 12th Ave
ZIP: 61071
(815) 626-2626
Middle
Total Enrollment 319
Rock Falls Township High School
101 12th Ave
ZIP: 61071
(815) 625-3886
High
Total Enrollment 627
Thome Ed School
500 E 5th St
ZIP: 61071
(815) 625-1026
Other
Total Enrollment 20

Rock Falls Private Schools

St Andrew Catholic Elementary
701 11th Ave
ZIP: 61071
Elementary
Total Enrollment 149
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