Well known as "The Forest City", Rockford sits on the banks of the Rock River. Rockford is the home to Illinois' largest music festival, On the Waterfront, as well as a number of other popular sites and attractions that give the city some unique character, such as Jane, the dinosaur, at the Burpee Museum of Natural History.
Located in Northern Illinois, just below the Wisconsin border, Rockford is the second largest city in the state of Illinois and, as of early 2013 it remains the largest city in the state outside of the Chicago metropolitan area. Rockford is located in Winnebago County and the city also serves as the county seat as well.
For a period in the 1980s, Rockford was named among the worst cities in America by Money Magazine due to a lack of jobs and abundance of closed factories, however the city has begun to see itself recover somewhat in the past few decades, attempting to reinvent itself as a major manufacturing center in the Midwest.
This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Rockford. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Rockford Climate
Cold winters and warm summers characterize the humid continental climate of Rockford. Minor fluctuations in temperature, humidity, cloudiness, and wind direction are observed habitually. The spring and fall seasons feature comfortably warm sunny days and a crisp breeze, and are considered a pleasant time to visit Rockford.
The weather in the city is typical of most Midwest cities in this region, and is also influenced by nearby Lake Michigan, which lies to the east of the city and which moderates the temperature and boosts the snowfall for the city significantly during the winter months.
Rockford Neighborhoods
Rockford is a rather large city, measuring over 60 square miles in total area. The Rockford metro area is composed of several different communities that are located in and around Rockford, including the villages of Winnebago, Roscoe, Rockton, Poplar Grove and New Milford, as well as the cities of Loves Park, Machesney Park and Belvidere.
Rockford is divided by the Rock River, which lies in the center of the Rockford area and is its most distinguishing feature. The city of Rockford is located on both banks of the river, and the city's neighborhoods are geographically separated by the river.
Living Costs in the City
As far as living costs in Rockford, the city is a fairly middle-of-the-road Midwestern city when it comes to average income and average living costs, although recently it has been trending slightly below that curve when compared with other similar cities in the state of Illinois and the rest of the region. With a median income for a household in Rockford at $55,667 and median income for a family at $65,465, Rockford is below the national average for both figures, which is around $99,975. The per capita income for the city is around $19,781 and roughly 14 percent of the population is living below the poverty line, a higher than normal percentage.
The median home price for real estate in Rockford is incredibly low compared to the national average. At $86,500, the median represents a struggling real estate market and that figure is nearly one third of the national average of home prices.
In addition, when compared to the national average job growth of 24.63 percent, Rockford's job market is severely struggling still, despite the city's move towards a more manufacturing-dependent economy, which has begun to open more jobs to residents. With a job growth rate of -7.22 percent, it may be difficult finding employment in Rockford if you're planning on moving here, so it's always a wise idea to procure employment before making your move to Rockford.
Registering Your Car
Upon your arrival in Illinois after moving to the state permanently, you have a total of 30 days to update your registration and have your vehicle registered in the state before you may be required to pay a penalty.
An Illinois Driver's License can be obtained at any Illinois DMV location. The state requires new Illinois residents to update their license from their previous state to an Illinois driver's license within 90 days of moving. If you fail to update your driver's license within this 90-day window, you may have to pay a fine. Also, there is a $10 fee to update your driver's license.
Rockford Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Rockford, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Illinois. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Rockford Schools
Rockford Public School District 205 serves more than 27,000 students and it is the fourth largest school district in the state by enrollment. The school district covers a massive 170 square miles and it is comprised of 29 elementary schools, six middle schools and four high schools, which are Auburn High School, Rockford East High School, Guilford High School and Jefferson High School.
In addition to the vast public school system located in Rockford, you can also find a great deal of private schools. There are a total of 27 private schools in all, ranging from sectarian to nonsectarian and covering all grades from elementary school through high school.
Although there are no large universities located in the Rockford metro area, the city is home to several small colleges, including Rockford College, Rock Valley College, Rockford Business College and the St. Anthony College of Nursing.
Rockford Employment
There are more than 10,000 businesses operating in Rockford and the nearby Winnebago County. Rockford is already recognized as a world leader in manufacturing and producing auto parts and machine tools. Although the job market has suffered mightily in the few years since the recession, the city of Rockford still largely remains an industrial city that is centered on its manufacturing. The manufacturing industry in Rockford has been led, for the most part, by Sundstrand Corporation, a company formed by the merger of Rockford Tool Company and Rockford Milling Machine Company.
When the United Technologies Corporation merged with Sundstrand Corporation in 1999, they created Hamilton Sundstrand, a company that now produces industrial, aviation and aerospace products. A Chrysler factory is also located in Rockford and is now used mainly to manufacture the Dodge Dart. Some of the largest employers in the city include the Rockford Public School District, the Swedish American Hospital, the Rockford Health System, Chrysler, Hamilton Sundstrand, Saint Anthony Medical Center and the United Parcel Service.
Public Transportation
Rockford is well connected to other cities in the neighboring areas through Interstate 90, U.S. Route 20 and Interstate 39. Rockford is also served by other routes like Illinois Route 2, 70 and 251. There are several freight railroad lines that pass through this city, however there are currently no passenger rail lines that service the city of Rockford. Beginning in 2014, Amtrak will bring back its Black Hawk route that will run through the city and a new train station will be built as well. The Black Hawk route formerly ran through Rockford in the late 1970s, however the route was discontinued in the early 1980s due to budget cuts at Amtrak.
The city of Rockford is served by the Chicago Rockford International Airport, formerly the Greater Rockford Airport, which is located at the southern end of the city and provides commercial passenger flights, as well as serving as a main hub for the United States Parcel Service air cargo carriers.
Culture and Contemporary Life
Rockford is full of sights and sounds that will fulfill just about anyone's interests, whether you're into enjoying the great outdoors, or spending a day at the museum. Speaking of museums, the city's full of them. From the Discovery Center Museum which features a large interactive children's exhibit, to the Burpee Museum of Natural History, home of Jane, the famous Rockford T-Rex, you'll have a full selection of places where you can whet your appetite for knowledge.
If gardens are what you're into, look no further than the Anderson Japanese Gardens, which were ranked the top Japanese garden in North America, or the Klehm Arboretum and Botanical Garden which is one of the city's most popular attractions, especially in the summertime. There are also several parks, forest preserves and golf courses located throughout the city, providing a little something for everyone to enjoy when the weather gets warm.
Moving to Rockford
Whatever your reasons for moving to Rockford, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Rockford is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.