HomeIllinoisRock Island County
Rock Island County, Illinois: commercial real estate data.
Rock Island County, Illinois had an estimated 142,731 residents on July 1, 2024, down 1.3 percent since the 2020 census base of 144,665, across 428 square miles. County output reached $12.61 bn in 2024, 2,992 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 59 7(a) approvals worth $38.3 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Rock Island County
How many people live in Rock Island County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024142,757
- Households61,733
- Average household size2.31
- Median household income$67,159
- Median age40.3
- Median gross rent$889 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$150,400
- Home value to household income2.2 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income15.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher24.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree9.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over98,032
- Population under 1832,091
- Share under 1822.5 percent
- Population 65 and over29,061
- Share 65 and over20.4 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6481,605
- Civilian labor force69,883
- Unemployment rate5.6 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over63.1 percent
- Rank by population among Illinois counties14th of 102
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included474th of 3,222
Rock Island County is the 14th largest of 102 Illinois counties by population. A median home costs 2.2 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 22.5 percent against 20.4 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Rock Island County
Is Rock Island County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024142,731
- Census 2020 base population144,665
- Population change since the 2020 census base-1.34 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024792
- Births, 20241,611
- Deaths, 20241,701
- Natural change, 2024-90
- Net domestic migration, 2024-398
- Net international migration, 20241,277
- Total net migration, 2024879
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-3,833
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents2306th of 3,144
The county has lost 1.34 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Rock Island County
Where are people moving to Rock Island County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving2,925
- People arriving, from those returns5,013
- Tax returns filed by households leaving3,410
- Net household movement-485
- Adjusted gross income arriving$161.5 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-57.6 m
- Average income of an arriving household$55,197
- Average income of a leaving household$64,243
- Largest single originScott County (813 households)
- Largest single destinationScott County (967 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott County | 813 | 1,419 | $41.4 m |
| Henry County | 309 | 512 | $16.2 m |
| Mercer County | 116 | 188 | $6.1 m |
| Cook County | 90 | 162 | $4.0 m |
| Whiteside County | 65 | 111 | $2.6 m |
| Muscatine County | 48 | 76 | $2.7 m |
| Clinton County | 37 | 75 | $1.9 m |
| Maricopa County | 32 | 70 | $1.8 m |
Households arriving report $9,046 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Scott County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Rock Island County
What is the Rock Island County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$12.61 bn
- County GDP, 2023$12.30 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20242.5 percent
- GDP change over five years21.4 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Illinois areas BEA publishes14th of 102
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes371st of 3,127
- GDP per resident$88,312
Output grew 2.5 percent in the latest year and 21.4 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Rock Island County
Employment by industry in Rock Island County
- Covered employment, annual average70,119
- Establishments reporting2,880
- Average annual pay$72,332
- Average weekly wage$1,391
- Manufacturing, employment9,870
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$69,190
- Health care and social assistance, employment8,626
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$61,862
- Retail trade, employment6,922
- Retail trade, average annual pay$37,548
- Wholesale trade, employment6,485
- Wholesale trade, average annual pay$181,496
- Accommodation and food services, employment5,285
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment4,191
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 9,870 | 144 | $69,190 |
| Health care and social assistance | 8,626 | 363 | $61,862 |
| Retail trade | 6,922 | 397 | $37,548 |
| Wholesale trade | 6,485 | 109 | $181,496 |
| Accommodation and food services | 5,285 | 344 | $23,161 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 4,191 | 140 | $63,944 |
| Construction | 2,762 | 240 | $76,472 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 2,602 | 224 | $90,312 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 9,870 jobs, 14.1 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Rock Island County
How many businesses are in Rock Island County?
- Establishments, all industries2,992
- Employment at those establishments64,307
- Annual payroll$4.30 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents21.0
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Rock Island County
Building permits in Rock Island County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024140
- Declared construction value permitted$28.3 m
- Single family units authorized51
- Multifamily units authorized89
- Multifamily share of units63.6 percent
- Average declared value per unit$202,315
- Units authorized per 1,000 households2.3
Multifamily is 63.6 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Rock Island County
SBA loans in Rock Island County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded59
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$38.3 m
- Average 7(a) approval$649,763
- Median 7(a) approval$300,000
- 10th percentile approval$27,000
- 90th percentile approval$2,032,000
- Largest single approval$2,528,900
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)519
- Jobs per approval8.8
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active24
- Distinct industries receiving approvals36
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer13.6 percent
- Loans on real estate terms8
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter46
- Franchise loans10
- Franchise share of approvals16.9 percent
- Most active lenderU.S. Bank, National Association (9)
- 504 approvals recorded34
- 504 gross approval dollars$22.7 m
- Average 504 approval$668,118
- Median 504 approval$349,500
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval21.2
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved31.7
- Most active CDCSmall Business Growth Corporation (26)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$61.1 m
The average approval of $649,763 sits well above the median of $300,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 13.6 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Rock Island County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Rock Island County
Do SBA loans in Rock Island County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded12
- Paid in full11
- Charged off1
- Status: Paid in full11
- Status: Cancelled13
- Status: Exempt from disclosure33
- Status: Charged off1
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed1
Only 12 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Rock Island County
SBA lending by place in Rock Island County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending8
- Moline, approvals24
- Rock Island, approvals13
- East Moline, approvals11
- Milan, approvals4
- Reynolds, approvals3
- Hampton, approvals2
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Moline | 24 | $12,822,300 |
| Rock Island | 13 | $9,973,500 |
| East Moline | 11 | $8,471,100 |
| Milan | 4 | $5,211,100 |
| Reynolds | 3 | $900,000 |
| Hampton | 2 | $357,000 |
| Silvis | 1 | $350,000 |
| Taylor Ridge | 1 | $251,000 |
Moline accounts for 24 approvals against 13 in Rock Island. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Rock Island County
How large is Rock Island County?
- Land area428 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Illinois counties67th of 102
- Width, east to west47.3 mi
- Height, north to south31.5 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land334
- Establishments per square mile6.99
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Rock Island County
Flood risk in Rock Island County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Rock Island County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 170582
- Community Rating System class of the county's own communityClass 6
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book15
- Of those, participating in the NFIP15
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 6
- Communities carrying a CRS class2
- Radon levels in Rock Island County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Rock Island County (community 170582), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries Community Rating System class 6, a flood insurance premium discount for policies written there. The EPA places Rock Island County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 6, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Rock Island County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Rock Island County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024142,757
- Households61,733
- Average household size2.31
- Median household income$67,159
- Median age40.3
Common questions
Rock Island County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Rock Island County, Illinois?
The Census Bureau estimates 142,731 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 142,757, in 61,733 households, ranking 14th of 102 Illinois counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Rock Island County's population growing?
The population has fallen 1.34 percent since the 2020 census base of 144,665, to 142,731 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 1,611 births against 1,701 deaths, with net migration of 879. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Rock Island County?
$67,159. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $150,400, which is 2.2 times income, and median gross rent is $889 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Rock Island County?
2,992 establishments, employing 64,307 people with an annual payroll of $4.30 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Rock Island County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 9,870 jobs, 14.1 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 70,119 jobs at an average annual pay of $72,332, or $1,391 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Rock Island County?
59 7(a) approvals totaling $38.3 m since FY2020, across 24 lenders, with a median approval of $300,000, plus 34 504 approvals worth $22.7 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Rock Island County?
140 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $28.3 m. Multifamily was 63.6 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Rock Island County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Rock Island County come from?
The largest single origin is Scott County, with 813 households. Arriving households report an average income of $55,197 against $64,243 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Rock Island County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Rock Island County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Rock Island County
Cities and places in Rock Island.
24 Census places lie wholly or partly in Rock Island County. All 24 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moline | city | 42,197 | 24 | Wholly in this county |
| Rock Island | city | 36,151 | 13 | Wholly in this county |
| East Moline | city | 20,904 | 11 | Wholly in this county |
| Silvis | city | 7,955 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Milan | village | 5,034 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Coal Valley | village | 4,229 | None recorded | 74.9 percent here, 25.1 percent Henry County |
| Carbon Cliff | village | 2,151 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Hampton | village | 1,926 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Port Byron | village | 1,854 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Andalusia | village | 1,021 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Rapids City | village | 980 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Coyne Center | CDP | 904 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Cordova | village | 666 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Reynolds | village | 584 | 3 | 91.9 percent here, 8.1 percent Mercer County |
| Rock Island Arsenal | CDP | 470 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Hillsdale | village | 451 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Edgington | CDP | 390 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Oak Grove | village | 277 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Taylor Ridge | CDP | 276 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Campbell's Island | CDP | 203 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Illinois City | CDP | 73 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Joslin | CDP | 56 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Barstow | CDP | 34 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Buffalo Prairie | CDP | 9 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
Nearby