Rock Falls ZIP Codes — Whiteside County, IL

There is one unique ZIP code in Rock Falls, Illinois and it is 61071. Area code: 815.

ZIP codes

72.48

sq mi land

1.88

sq mi water

815

area code

Rock Falls, IL ZIP code map

About Rock Falls, IL

Rock Falls, Illinois, is a vibrant city located in the heart of Whiteside County. Known for its rich history and welcoming community, Rock Falls offers residents and visitors a blend of cultural experiences and outdoor activities. The city serves as an inviting place for families, businesses, and those seeking a serene Midwestern lifestyle.

Location & geography

Rock Falls is situated in northwestern Illinois, approximately 90 miles west of Chicago, making it accessible yet distinct from larger urban centers. Nearby cities include Sterling, just 2 miles to the east; Dixon, about 12 miles to the south; and Prophetstown, located roughly 12 miles to the west. The city covers a total land area of 72.48 square miles, with 1.88 square miles of it being water, offering a picturesque balance of terrain and waterways.

Community & economy

The character of Rock Falls is defined by its strong sense of community and local pride, which is evident in its various festivals and events throughout the year. The economy is supported by a mix of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare, providing diverse employment opportunities for residents. Daily life in Rock Falls is enriched by parks, shops, and local eateries that embody the warm, inviting spirit of the town.

Transportation

Rock Falls is well-connected via several major roadways, with U.S. Route 30 running through the city and Interstate 88 accessible just a few miles to the south. The nearest airport is the Chicago Rockford International Airport, located approximately 40 miles to the northeast, providing regional access for air travelers. Public transportation options are limited, but the city's layout encourages a walkable community.

History

Rock Falls was founded in the early 19th century and developed rapidly due to its strategic location along the Rock River, which facilitated trade and transportation. Historically, the city was known for its gristmills and manufacturing industries that thrived during the industrial revolution. A notable event in the city's history is the construction of the iconic Rock Falls Dam, which played a significant role in local commerce and provided hydroelectric power.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Rock Falls is that it was originally established as a mill town, leveraging the power of the Rock River for industrial use. Additionally, the city is home to the historic West Side Historic District, which includes several buildings that date back to the late 19th century.

ZIP codes for Rock Falls, IL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
61071	Rock Falls	Whiteside	View map

Demographics & statistics

13,766

Population

41.4

Median age

$55,478

Median household income

$33,004

Per capita income

$102,700

Median home value

$787

Median monthly rent

73.5%

Home ownership

16.3%

Poverty rate

4.3%

Unemployment

4,989

Housing units

16.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

436

Under 5

443

329

5–9

333

517

10–14

524

382

15–19

388

443

20–24

450

776

25–34

788

730

35–44

741

938

45–54

951

429

55–59

435

595

60–64

603

738

65–74

749

367

75–84

372

153

85+

156

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,133	22.8%
18 and over	10,633	77.2%
65 and over	2,535	18.4%
Median age	41.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 79.2%

Hispanic or Latino 9.6%

Two or more races 7.7%

Other race 2.6%

Black or African American 0.5%

Asian 0.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	12,059	79.2%
Hispanic or Latino	1,459	9.6%
Two or more races	1,172	7.7%
Other race	398	2.6%
Black or African American	71	0.5%
Asian	36	0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	30	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 5.1%

$10k–$15k 4.9%

$15k–$25k 13.6%

$25k–$35k 7.3%

$35k–$50k 15.2%

$50k–$75k 17.1%

$75k–$100k 12.6%

$100k–$150k 16.1%

$150k–$200k 5.0%

$200k+ 3.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.1%
$10k–$15k	4.9%
$15k–$25k	13.6%
$25k–$35k	7.3%
$35k–$50k	15.2%
$50k–$75k	17.1%
$75k–$100k	12.6%
$100k–$150k	16.1%
$150k–$200k	5.0%
$200k+	3.1%
Median income	$55,478

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.6%

$50k–$100k 38.1%

$100k–$150k 19.9%

$150k–$200k 14.6%

$200k–$300k 12.1%

$300k–$500k 4.3%

$500k–$1M 0.2%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$102,700
Median rent / month	$787
Owner occupied	73.5%
Renter occupied	26.5%
Vacant	10.4%
Single-family detached	83.2%
Large apartment buildings	3.0%
Mobile homes	2.5%
Median rooms	5.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.34

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.8%
2000–2009	3.9%
1990–1999	7.0%
1980–1989	5.7%
1970–1979	19.6%
1960–1969	16.3%
1950–1959	16.9%
1940–1949	7.4%
1939 or earlier	21.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.2%
1 bedroom	11.9%
2 bedrooms	21.4%
3 bedrooms	46.1%
4 bedrooms	16.0%
5+ bedrooms	1.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.2%
1 vehicle	32.6%
2 vehicles	37.5%
3 or more	23.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	81.0%
Electricity	11.7%
Propane / LP gas	4.6%
Fuel oil	0.5%
Wood	0.1%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,366	40.3%
Cohabiting couple	535	9.1%
Male householder, no spouse	1,272	21.7%
Female householder, no spouse	1,692	28.8%
Households with children under 18	1,732	29.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,892	32.3%
Average household size	2.33

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	35.4%	25.8%
Married	47.0%	44.7%
Separated	1.5%	0.4%
Widowed	4.3%	9.3%
Divorced	11.7%	19.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.5%

Some HS, no diploma 7.1%

HS graduate 38.4%

Some college, no degree 22.3%

Associate's degree 11.8%

Bachelor's degree 10.7%

Graduate / professional 6.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.4%
Bachelor's or higher	16.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	321	10.6%
Kindergarten	116	3.8%
Elementary school	1,318	43.4%
High school	722	23.8%
College / grad school	561	18.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.8%

Manufacturing 22.8%

Retail trade 12.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.7%

Transportation & utilities 6.3%

Construction 6.0%

Professional & management 5.1%

Other services 3.3%

Public administration 3.1%

Finance & real estate 2.7%

Wholesale trade 2.3%

Agriculture & mining 1.9%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	29.0%
Service	18.5%
Sales & office	15.6%
Natural resources & construction	10.0%
Production & transportation	26.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	83.4%
Government	12.5%
Self-employed	4.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.1%
Carpool	8.7%
Public transit	0.7%
Walk	1.0%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	18.4

Poverty

All people 16.3%

Under 18 years 30.3%

18 and over 12.2%

Married-couple families 2.8%

Female-led households 44.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	35.4%
Retirement income	26.3%
Supplemental Security	4.6%
Cash public assistance	1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	18.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.8%
High cholesterol	35.1%
Heart disease	7.3%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	29.4%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	8.1%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.8%
No physical activity	26.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.2%
Fair or poor health	16.0%
Poor mental health	13.3%
Poor physical health	11.0%
No health insurance	12.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.4%
Visited dentist	60.5%
Cholesterol screening	89.4%
Teeth loss	15.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	962	9.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.4%
Under 18	1.9%
18–64 years	11.5%
65 and over	34.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.1%
Public insurance	44.5%
Uninsured under 19	4.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	12,887	93.6%
Spanish	167	1.3%
Other Indo-European	138	1.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	13,391	97.3%
Born in same state	13,296	96.6%
Born in different state	11,635	84.5%
Foreign born	95	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	375	2.7%
Not a US citizen	196	52.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	2,331	16.9%
French	1,132	8.2%
Arab	798	5.8%
English	420	3.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	93	0.7%
Norwegian	43	0.3%
Dutch	35	0.3%
Irish	11	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.6%
Internet access	91.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Rock Falls, IL have?

Rock Falls, IL has one ZIP code: 61071. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.