1st Advantage Mortgage31% of Rock Island County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $67,159 (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Rock Island County, and confirm each one's Illinois license.
On this page
- Rock Island County, IL: the basics
- Where Rock Island County differs from the rest of Illinois
- Housing costs in Rock Island County
- Labor force snapshot: Rock Island County
- Income in Rock Island County compared with Illinois
- Regional comparison for Rock Island County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Rock Island County
- People and households in Rock Island County
- Budget math at the Rock Island County median
- Before borrowing in Rock Island County
- Illinois lender licensing
- Checklist for Rock Island County applicants
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Rock Island County, IL: the basics
Roughly 142,757 residents live in Rock Island County, Illinois, 14th by population among the state's 102 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 427 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 334 per square mile. Metro area: Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL (OMB, 2023). Moline (42,197 people) heads the county's list of 23 Census places, 14 incorporated and 9 census-designated.
Where Rock Island County differs from the rest of Illinois
Out of every Illinois county, Rock Island County is most unusual on these measures.
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Rock Island County sits near the bottom of Illinois at 6%, 4th lowest of 102. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
- Population: 142,757 in Rock Island County. Only 13 of 102 Illinois counties are higher. More people usually means more banks and credit unions to compare nearby.
- Homeownership: 70% in Rock Island County. Only 12 of 102 Illinois counties are lower. Many renters means few borrowers have home equity to fall back on.
- Rock Island County ranks 19th highest of 102 Illinois counties for households without a vehicle: 8.6%, against 11.0% statewide. Car-free households may need loans less for repairs but more for moves.
Housing costs in Rock Island County
Rock Island County rent at the median: $889 a month, utilities in ($1,274 in Illinois). 48% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. Median value $150,400; median income $67,159; ratio 2.2. In Rock Island County, 70% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Median construction year: 1962.
| Housing | Rock Island County | Illinois statewide | Rock Island County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $889/mo | $1,274/mo | 30% lower |
| Median home value | $150,400 | $263,300 | 43% lower |
| Owners | 70% | 67% | +2.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 48% | -0.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 27% | -5.6 pts |
| Mobile homes | 2.7% | 2.3% | +0.4 pts |
Labor force snapshot: Rock Island County
Top Rock Island County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 23%; second, manufacturing, 16%. Manufacturing stands out: 16% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.6% in Rock Island County. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 6%; under 15 minutes: 33%. Only 8.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Rock Island County workers | vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.6% | -1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.6% | +4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | +1.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.2% | -3.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.7% | +0.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.5% | -0.5 pts |
Self-employed in Rock Island County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Income in Rock Island County compared with Illinois
$67,159 is the median household income for Rock Island County, set against $83,390 for Illinois. That places it 50th among Illinois's 102 county-level areas.
| Household income | Rock Island County | vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.7% | +4.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.2% | +6.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.0% | -3.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.0% | -7.8 pts |
On the low end, 26% of Rock Island County households report under $35,000; at the top, 31% report $100,000-plus. Poverty rate, Rock Island County: 15.5%; Illinois: 11.8%. Rock Island County scores 0.441 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. None of these numbers decides a Rock Island County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Regional comparison for Rock Island County
Scott County is closest, 12 miles from center to center; the sixth, Cedar County, is 36 miles off. Cedar County leads the group on income ($80,602), Clinton County trails ($66,981), and Rock Island County out-earns 1 of the six. The list crosses into Iowa, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Island County | - | $67,159 | $889/mo | 70% |
| Scott County, IA | 12 mi | $78,277 | $1,005/mo | 70% |
| Mercer County, IL | 20 mi | $74,182 | $786/mo | 84% |
| Henry County, IL | 24 mi | $71,911 | $842/mo | 80% |
| Muscatine County, IA | 28 mi | $69,396 | $971/mo | 74% |
| Clinton County, IA | 30 mi | $66,981 | $850/mo | 75% |
| Cedar County, IA | 36 mi | $80,602 | $879/mo | 81% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Rock Island County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 23 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 90% of Rock Island County residents live in one of the 23. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $59,620, Coyne Center over Carbon Cliff. No Rock Island County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 23.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moline | city | 42,197 | $67,701 | $900 | 4 mi |
| Rock Island | city | 36,151 | $59,041 | $842 | 1 mi |
| East Moline | city | 20,904 | $61,779 | $868 | 10 mi |
| Silvis | city | 7,955 | $62,375 | $965 | 9 mi |
| Milan | village | 5,034 | $62,597 | $963 | 2 mi |
| Coal Valley | village | 4,229 | $106,850 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Carbon Cliff | village | 2,151 | $55,536 | $1,034 | 10 mi |
| Hampton | village | 1,926 | $90,406 | $941 | 11 mi |
| Port Byron | village | 1,854 | $111,667 | $525 | 17 mi |
| Andalusia | village | 1,021 | $77,222 | $825 | 8 mi |
| Rapids City | village | 980 | $83,125 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Coyne Center | CDP | 904 | $115,156 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Cordova | village | 666 | $84,167 | $925 | 19 mi |
| Rock Island Arsenal | CDP | 470 | n/a | $1,372 | 4 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
People and households in Rock Island County
In Rock Island County, 25% of adults have at least a four-year degree (38% in Illinois). Uninsured, Rock Island County: 6.1%; Illinois: 6.9%.
| People and households | Rock Island County | Compared with Illinois | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.7% | -13.1 pts | +2.6 pts |
| Work from home | 8.6% | -7.3 pts | -0.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 15.5% | +3.7 pts | +2.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.6% | -2.4 pts | +3.1 pts |
| Median age | 40.3 | +1.3 yrs | -1.2 yrs |
| No health insurance | 6.1% | -0.8 pts | -1.8 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.6% | -0.2 pts | +1.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.3% | -0.2 pts | n/a |
| Minutes to work | Rock Island County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 49.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.4% |
| 60+ min | 3.7% |
Budget math at the Rock Island County median
How much room does a median Rock Island County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,597 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $889 uses 16%
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,350 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Rock Island County's.
Before borrowing in Rock Island County
- Renters under pressure. When 48% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Illinois lender licensing
Before sharing details with a lender, a Rock Island County resident can confirm its license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Nationally, Rock Island County residents can file with the CFPB. More on Illinois: Illinois personal loans.
Checklist for Rock Island County applicants
Quick steps for Rock Island County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Illinois license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Keep exploring
For statewide rules and data, see the Illinois guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Rock Island County household make?
About $67,159 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 19% below the Illinois median.
What is the median rent in Rock Island County, IL?
$889 a month, utilities included, or $10,668 a year.
I live near Moline. Which guide is mine?
This one. Moline and the rest of Rock Island County have no separate city guide.
Are Rock Island County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Rock Island County?
Start with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.