Editing Rock Falls, Illinois

{{Short description|City in Whiteside County, Illinois, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Rock Falls
| official_name      = 
| native_name        = 
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| other_name         = 
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Illinois|City]]
| image_skyline      = Rock Falls downtown 10-2024.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = View of downtown buildings in Rock Falls, IL
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| etymology          = 
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| image_map          = File:Whiteside County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Rock Falls Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Location of Rock Falls in Whiteside County, Illinois.
| image_map1         = Illinois in United States (US48).svg
| mapsize1           = 
| map_alt1           = 
| map_caption1       = Location of Illinois in the United States
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| coordinates        = {{coord|41|46|29|N|89|41|29|W|display=inline,title}}
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| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_name1  = Illinois
| subdivision_type2  = County
| subdivision_name2  = [[Whiteside County, Illinois|Whiteside]]
| subdivision_type3  = Township
| subdivision_name3  = 
| subdivision_type4  = 
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| established_title  = Founded
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| founder            = A.P. Smith
| named_for          = 
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| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = Mayor-council
| governing_body     = 
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Rodney G. Kleckler 
| leader_title1      = City Attorney
| leader_name1       = James L. Reese
| total_type         = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_17.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 15, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 10.68
| area_total_sq_mi   = 4.12
| area_land_km2      = 10.32
| area_land_sq_mi    = 3.98
| area_water_km2     = 0.36
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.14
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| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
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| population_total   = 8789
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| population_density_km2 = 852.02
| population_density_sq_mi = 2206.63
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| timezone1          = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset1        = &minus;6
| timezone1_DST      = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = &minus;5
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code|ZIP Code(s)]]
| postal_code        = 61071
| postal2_code_type  = 
| postal2_code       = 
| area_code_type     = 
| area_code          = [[Area code 815#United States|815]]
| geocode            = 
| iso_code           = 
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 17-64928
| blank1_name        = 
| blank1_info        = 
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| blank_name_sec2    = 
| blank_info_sec2    = 
| blank1_name_sec2   = 
| blank1_info_sec2   = 
| blank2_name_sec2   = Wikimedia Commons
| blank2_info_sec2   = Rock Falls, Illinois
| website            = {{URL|https://rockfalls61071.net/}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Rock Falls''' is a city in [[Whiteside County, Illinois]], United States. The recorded population was 8,606 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], down 7.12% from 9,266 in [[2010 United States Census|2010]]. The city is located on the [[Rock River (Mississippi River)|Rock River]], directly opposite its twin city of [[Sterling, Illinois|Sterling]].

== Geography ==
Rock Falls is separated from its twin city, [[Sterling, Illinois|Sterling]], to the North by the [[Rock River (Mississippi River)|Rock River]].

According to the 2010 census, Rock Falls has a total area of {{convert|3.795|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|3.66|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 96.44%) is land and {{convert|0.135|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 3.56%) is water.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1764928
  |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
  |access-date=2015-12-27
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213083117/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1764928
  |archive-date=2020-02-13
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{US Census population
|1870= 471
|1880= 894
|1890= 1900
|1900= 2176
|1910= 2657
|1920= 2927
|1930= 3893
|1940= 4987
|1950= 7983
|1960= 10261
|1970= 10287
|1980= 10633
|1990= 9654
|2000= 9580
|2010= 9266
|2020= 8789
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 9,580 people, 3,895 households, and 2,559 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,888.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,098 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,235.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 91.78% White, 0.88% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 4.71% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.54%.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>

Of the 3,895 households 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 29.4% of households were one person and 13.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median household income was $34,442 and the median family income was $41,803. Males had a median income of $32,733 versus $21,092 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,524. About 10.3% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

== Education ==
Rock Falls has four school districts. Most of Rock Falls is in [[Rock Falls Elementary School District 13]]<!--ELM 34350-->, while portions in the east are in [[East Coloma-Nelson Consolidated Elementary School District 20]]<!--ELM 01411-->, and a very small portion of the municipal limits is in [[Montmorency Community Consolidated School District 145]].<!--ELM 26590--> All of Rock Falls is in [[Rock Falls Township High School District 301]]<!--SEC 34380-->.<ref name=SDMap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17195_whiteside/DC20SD_C17195.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Whiteside County, IL|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-12-13}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17195_whiteside/DC20SD_C17195_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

Rock Falls Elementary School District #13 consists of Riverdale Preschool Center, Dillon Elementary School, Merrill Intermediate School, and Rock Falls Middle School. East Coloma-Nelson CESD #20 operates East Coloma-Nelson grade school. Montmorency CCSD #145 operates Montmorency grade school. Thome School serves as the towns special needs institution.

The [[Diocese of Rockford|Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford]] runs one school in the city: St. Andrew's School, serving as both [[grade school]] and [[middle school]]. This school serves a local [[parish]], St. Andrew Catholic Church.

==Arts and culture==
The City of Rock Falls hosts many annual events each year. Some of the most popular events are: Percussion-Paloosa (February), Rock Falls Spring Challenge (May), Bass Pro Shop's Big Cat Quest Catfish Tournament (June), Summer Splash (June), River Chase Boat Races (June), Pink Heals Tour (July), Whiteside County Barn Tour (July), Touch a Truck (August), Fiesta Days (September), Bridge the Communities 5K/10K race (September), The Hennepin Hundred 100k Ultra race (October) and Hometown Holidays (November).{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}
[[File:Rock_Falls_band_shell_10-2024.jpg|thumb|View of riverfront bandshell in Rock Falls, IL]]

== Parks and recreation ==
The City of Rock Falls and Township of Coloma have 16 parks spanning over {{Convert|100|acre|ha}} in which one can use baseball diamonds, basketball courts, tennis courts, disc golf, open fields, playground equipment, pavilions, picnic areas, or a bandshell. Also, with the close proximity of the Rock River, the [[Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park|Hennepin Canal]], and a lake in Centennial Park where one can use boats ramps, canoes, paddle boats, or engage in fishing.
[[File: Hennepin Canal, from the bridge on East 2nd Street in Rock Falls, Illinois.jpg|thumb|Hennepin Canal, looking south from its origin on the Rock River in Rock Falls, Illinois.]]

Two eighteen-hole mid-range [[disc golf]] courses are located in Rock Falls: Nims Park<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/nims-park|title=Nims Park|date=2 September 2009}}</ref> and Joshua Park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/joshua-park|title = Joshua Park|date = 27 February 2015}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Airport===
The [[Whiteside County Airport]] is located about {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on}} south of the city.

===Major highways===
Major highways in Rock Falls include:

* [[File:I-88.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 88 (Illinois)|Interstate 88]]
* [[File:US 30.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 30 in Illinois|U.S. Route 30]] 
* [[File:Illinois 40.svg|25px]] [[Illinois Route 40]]
* [[File:Illinois 110.svg|25px]] [[Illinois Route 110]]

===Electric utility===
Rock Falls has a municipal electrical system, which generates its own power using a 2 megawatt [[Low-head hydro power|low-head hydro-electric plant]] on the Rock River. Current electric rate is 67% higher than Com Ed. Water and sewer minimum charge is now up to $71.85.<ref name=RockFallsUtility>{{cite web|url=https://rockfalls61071.net/departments/electric-department/|publisher=City of Rock Falls|access-date=2021-04-23|title= Electric Department}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
<!-- Note:
· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability.
· The article must mention how they are associated with Rock Falls, whether born, raised, or residing.
· The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
· Alphabetical by last name please.
· All others will be deleted.
-->

* [[Otis Adelbert Kline]] (born 1891), songwriter, an adventure novelist and literary agent
* [[Zelma O'Neal]] (born 1903), actress and singer
* [[Louie Bellson]] (born 1924), drummer, creator of the double bass drumkit
* [[Cal Howe]] (born 1924), professional baseball player for [[Chicago Cubs]]
* [[Gary Kolb]] (born 1940), professional baseball player for [[St. Louis Cardinals]], [[Milwaukee Braves (1953–69)|Milwaukee Braves]], [[New York Mets]] and [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]
* [[Mariya Takeuchi]] (born 1955), singer and songwriter (international exchange student)
*[[David Turk]], attorney and 21st [[United States Deputy Secretary of Energy|United States deputy secretary of energy]]
* [[Frank Harts]] (born 1979), actor
* [[Nicholas Troy Sheley|Nicholas Sheley]] (born 1979), murderer, born in Sterling, raised in Rock Falls.
* [[Seth Blair]] (born 1989), minor league baseball player for [[Boston Red Sox]]
* [[Jakob Junis|Jake Junis]] (born 1992), professional baseball player for the [[Kansas City Royals]], [[San Francisco Giants]], and [[Milwaukee Brewers]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.rockfalls61071.com/ City Website]

{{Whiteside County, Illinois}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Whiteside County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Cities in Illinois]]