Rockford Population 2026
Rockford has a population of 148,278, making it the #184 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in Illinois. It is about 59× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
148,278
Rank in United States
#184
Coordinates
42.27°N, 89.09°W
~218 m elevation · America/Chicago
Distance to capital (Washington)
1,084 km
673 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Illinois
| City | Population | Rank in United States |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,664,452 | #3 |
| Aurora | 200,661 | #125 |
| Joliet | 147,861 | #186 |
| Naperville | 147,100 | #190 |
| Peoria | 115,070 | #259 |
| Springfield | 114,394 | #262 |
| North Peoria | 113,004 | #266 |
| Elgin | 112,111 | #270 |
Cities near Rockford
- Loves Park23,455 people · ~6 km away
- Machesney Park22,927 people · ~10 km away
- Belvidere25,132 people · ~21 km away
- Beloit36,891 people · ~27 km away
- Freeport24,476 people · ~43 km away
- Sycamore17,712 people · ~46 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Rockford?
Rockford has a population of 148,278 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #184 biggest city in United States.
What state is Rockford in?
Rockford is located in Illinois, United States.
Is Rockford the capital of United States?
No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 1,084 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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