Rock Island, Illinois | |
|---|---|
 Flag  Seal  Logo | |
| Motto: Rock Solid, Rock Island | |
 Location of Rock Island in Rock Island County, Illinois. | |
  Rock Island  Rock Island | |
| Coordinates:41°28′12″N90°35′30″W / 41.47000°N 90.59167°W /41.47000; -90.59167 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Rock Island |
| Incorporated | 1841 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ashley Harris (D) |
| Area | |
• City | 17.07 sq mi (44.22 km2) |
| • Land | 16.87 sq mi (43.70 km2) |
| • Water | 0.20 sq mi (0.53 km2) |
| Elevation | 623 ft (190 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• City | 37,108 |
| • Density | 2,199.5/sq mi (849.23/km2) |
| • Metro | 384,324 (US: 147th) |
| • CSA | 474,019 (US: 90th) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 61201, 61204, 61207, 61264, 61299 |
| Area code | 309 |
| FIPS code | 17-65078 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396400[2] |
| Website | rigov |
Rock Island is a city inRock Island County, Illinois, United States, and itscounty seat.[3] The population was 37,108 at the2020 census.[4] Located at the confluence of theRock andMississippi rivers, it is one of theQuad Cities along with neighboringMoline andEast Moline in Illinois and the cities ofDavenport andBettendorf inIowa. The Quad Cities metropolitan area had a population of 384,324 in 2020.
The city is home toRock Island Arsenal, the largest government-owned weapons manufacturingarsenal in the United States, which employs 6,000 people.[5] The original Rock Island, from which the city name is derived, is now calledArsenal Island.[6]
The original portion of what is now known as Rock Island was called Farnhamsburg – after the original two homes were built by ColonelGeorge Davenport andRussell Farnham in 1826. Davenport and Farnham were business partners, trading with the localNative Americans. The original city plat was filed on July 10, 1835, and was named Stephenson. It was renamed Rock Island in March 1841.[7]
The southern portion of Rock Island, including today's Watch Hill area, was originally known as Searstown. It was named after David B. Sears, who built the Sears Power Dam on theRock River. Searstown was annexed by Rock Island in 1915. This area has been a fortuitous place first for settlement and then for steamboat traffic, bridges, and railroads.
TheChicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (RI) was founded here in 1851, known informally as theRock Island Line; over the next century, the railroad grew to serve fourteen states but ended in bankruptcy in 1980.[8] As part of later nineteenth-century development, two first-class hotels: theHarper House (built byBen Harper and opened in February 1871) and the Rock Island House were built in town.[9] The Rock Island Arsenal has manufactured military equipment and ordnance for theU.S. Army since the 1880s.
TheRock Island Southern Railway was aninterurban line that ran from Rock Island toMonmouth, Illinois, then onward toGalesburg, Illinois. It was built between 1906 and 1910. A portion of the trackage, from Rock Island toPreemption, Illinois, was shared with the CRI&P line that served the coal mines inCable, Illinois, andSherrard, Illinois. The line finally folded in 1952.
Construction began in April 2017 for a new Rock Island County courthouse. The $28 million project was completed in the fall of 2018, and the old courthouse was expected to be torn down upon completion of the new building.[10] However, resident opposition delayed the demolition, with the phrase "Save Our Courthouse" being used by opponents to the demolition. The old courthouse was demolished in April 2023.
According to the 2010 census, Rock Island has a total area of 17.872 square miles (46.29 km2), of which 16.85 square miles (43.64 km2) (or 94.28%) is land and 1.022 square miles (2.65 km2) (5.72%) is water.[11]
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| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,711 | — | |
| 1860 | 5,130 | 199.8% | |
| 1870 | 7,890 | 53.8% | |
| 1880 | 11,659 | 47.8% | |
| 1890 | 13,634 | 16.9% | |
| 1900 | 19,493 | 43.0% | |
| 1910 | 24,335 | 24.8% | |
| 1920 | 35,177 | 44.6% | |
| 1930 | 37,953 | 7.9% | |
| 1940 | 42,775 | 12.7% | |
| 1950 | 48,710 | 13.9% | |
| 1960 | 51,863 | 6.5% | |
| 1970 | 50,166 | −3.3% | |
| 1980 | 46,821 | −6.7% | |
| 1990 | 40,552 | −13.4% | |
| 2000 | 39,684 | −2.1% | |
| 2010 | 39,018 | −1.7% | |
| 2020 | 37,108 | −4.9% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 36,256 | [13] | −2.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] 2010[15] 2020[16] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[17] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 29,485 | 26,464 | 21,910 | 74.30% | 67.83% | 59.04% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 6,741 | 6,987 | 7,135 | 16.99% | 17.91% | 19.23% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 87 | 84 | 63 | 0.22% | 0.22% | 0.17% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 290 | 680 | 1,603 | 0.73% | 1.74% | 4.32% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 17 | 8 | 12 | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 53 | 66 | 160 | 0.13% | 0.17% | 0.43% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 670 | 1,065 | 1,928 | 1.69% | 2.73% | 5.20% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2,341 | 3,664 | 4,297 | 5.90% | 9.39% | 11.58% |
| Total | 39,684 | 39,018 | 37,108 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
In 2000Census, there were 39,684 people, 16,148 households, and 9,543 families residing in the city.[18] The population density was 2,492.0 inhabitants per square mile (962.2/km2). There were 17,542 housing units at an average density of 1,101.6 per square mile (425.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 77.13%White, 17.17%African American, 0.28%Native American, 0.75%Asian, 0.07%Pacific Islander, 2.41% fromother races, and 2.19% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 5.90% of the population.
There were 16,148 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.97.
The city's population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 13.1% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,729, and the median income for a family was $45,127. Males had a median income of $32,815 versus $23,378 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $19,202. About 10.9% of families and 14.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.
Per the 2022American Community Survey five-year estimates, theBurmese American population was 902 comprising 50% of the Asian population (estimated at 1,835).[19]
According to the city's 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[20] the largest employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rock Island Arsenal | 6,301 |
| 2 | Trinity Rock Island | 1,848 |
| 3 | Rock Island–Milan School District 41 | 1,292 |
| 4 | Rock Island County | 733 |
| 5 | Jumer's Casino & Hotel | 550 |
| 6 | Augustana College | 550 |
| 7 | Pfg Tpc Roma Foods | 530 |
| 8 | City of Rock Island | 436 |
| 9 | Modern Woodmen of America | 435 |
| 10 | Honeywell Safety Products | 400 |
Rock Island Arsenal, aNational Historic Landmark, is aU.S. Army facility established in 1862 with a long history of military and industrial importance. It continues to play a crucial role in the nation's defense infrastructure.[5]
TheHauberg Civic Center is located within the Hauberg Estate and is a space for community events and civic engagement.[21]Bally's Quad Cities Casino & Hotel is located along the Mississippi River and is among the largest casinos in Illinois.[22]
TheBlack Hawk State Historic Site, situated along the Rock River, is a key location in the history of Native American tribes in the region. It preserves the site of a 19th-century settlement and offers educational programs related to the area's indigenous and colonial history.[23] TheBroadway Historic District is a designated neighborhood that features a collection of well-preserved late 19th- and early 20th-century buildings, showcasing the city's architectural heritage.[24]Chippiannock Cemetery, established in 1854, is one of the oldest cemeteries in the area and serves as the final resting place for several prominent figures in Rock Island's history.[25]
Longview Park Conservatory and Gardens is a botanical garden located within Longview Park that houses a wide variety of plant species, offering educational programs and a tranquil setting for visitors. Similarly, theQuad City Botanical Center is an indoor-outdoor facility dedicated to horticultural education and exhibits, promoting awareness of regional plant species and gardening techniques.
TheRock Island Public Library was established in 1872.[26]
Rock Island is the site of the Quad City Hindu Temple, aHindu shrine dedicated chiefly to thedeityVenkateswara. The temple opened in 2007. Prior to its construction, Hindu worshippers had to travel toSt. Louis orPeoria to participate in Hindu festivals and worship.[27][28]
The first football game in what was to become theNational Football League was played at Rock Island'sDouglas Park in September 1920. It was hosted by theRock Island Independents (1907–1926), who were a charter NFL franchise in 1920.[31]
TheRock Island Islanders were aminor league baseball team that played for 37 seasons between 1901 and 1948. The Islanders played at Douglas Park and were affiliates of theCincinnati Reds andPhiladelphia A's.
Karters flock to Rock Island every year for the prestigious "Rock Island Grand Prix" onLabor Day weekend, which attracts competitors from across the United States and the world. With exception to 1997, when the annual race was canceled due to legal liability issues, the Rock Island Grand Prix has been held every year since 1994.[citation needed]
The majority of the city is served by theRock Island–Milan School District 41,[32] which operates 13 public schools, includingRock Island High School. Portions of the southwest area fall under the Rockridge School District, includingRockridge High School. Several private schools also serve Rock Island, including Jordan Catholic Elementary School andAlleman Catholic High School.
Small portions of Rock Island are in theRockridge Community Unit School District 300.[32]
Augustana College is a private liberal arts institution, founded in 1860, that serves as a major educational center for the region. The city is also home toBible Missionary Institute.
Rock Island is the location of television stationWHBF-TV. Until 1963, WHBF was one of only two television stations in the Quad Cities area. (The other isWOC-TV on the Iowa side of the river.) Rock Island was also the longtime former home of WHBF-TV's former sister radio stations,WHBF andWHBF-FM, although it does remain the licensed city of those stations.
National Public Radio member stationWVIK is licensed to and located in Rock Island on the campus ofAugustana College, andWGVV-LP, which is also licensed to the city of Rock Island.
Rock Island is the home base forNOAA Weather RadioWXJ-73, the Quad Cities' area NWR station, programmed by the National Weather Service in Davenport.
Quad Cities MetroLINK provides bus service on numerous routes connecting Rock Island to destinations across the Quad Cities. District Station in downtown Rock Island serves as a hub of the system.[33]
The first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River was built between Arsenal Island and Davenport in 1856. Manysteamboat pilots felt that the bridge had been intentionally positioned to make it hard for them to navigate, and this conflict reflected a larger rivalry: St. Louis and its steamboats against Chicago and its railroads.[34] Two weeks after the bridge opened, the steamboatEffie Afton collided with the bridge, caught fire, and damaged the bridge.[34] The owner of theEffie Afton sued the bridge company for damages, and the case,Hurd v. Rock Island Bridge Co., featuredAbraham Lincoln as one of the lawyers who defended the railroad at trial in September 1857.[34][35] This test case was appealed to theUnited States Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the railroad in 1862.[34] Although the original bridge is long gone, having been replaced in 1866 with a heavier bridge, a monument exists on Arsenal Island marking the Illinois side.[36] On the Iowa side, the bridge was located near where 4th and Federal streets intersect with River Drive.
TheLock and Dam No. 15 and theGovernment Bridge are located just southwest of the site of the first bridge. TheGovernment Bridge, completed in 1896, is notable for having two sets of railroad tracks above the car lanes. There are only two bridges in the world with this feature. Three other bridges span the river between Rock Island and Davenport. TheCrescent Rail Bridge is a railroad-only bridge, completed in 1899. TheCentennial Bridge was completed in 1940 for autos only. The newest bridge is theInterstate 280 bridge, completed in 1973. Lock and Dam No. 15, completed in 1934 as a federalWorks Progress Administration (WPA) project during theGreat Depression, is the largestroller dam in the world. The dam is designed for navigation, not flood control. During flood season, the rollers are raised, unleashing the full flow of the water.
On the south side of the city, overlooked by theBlack Hawk State Historic Site, are auto and railroad crossings of theRock River toMilan, Illinois. This set of bridges also crosses the historicHennepin Canal and Sears Dam[37] (this was named after the entrepreneur David B. Sears, who previously built the Sears Dam between Arsenal Island and Moline.) In 2007 a new bridge was completed between 3rd Street Moline/southeast Rock Island and Milan. It expedites the trip to Milan, the airport,[which?] and points south onU.S. Route 67.
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Municipalities and communities ofRock Island County, Illinois,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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