What are the schools like in Rockdale, IL?

Rockdale is served primarily by Rockdale SD 84. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and several high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.7:1.

What is the median household income in Rockdale?

The median household income in Rockdale, IL is $49,246 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.2%.

What is the weather like in Rockdale, IL?

Rockdale has an average high temperature of 31.1°F in January and 83.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 38.0 inches and annual snowfall averages 16.9 inches.

Rockdale, IL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Rockdale, IL affordable or expensive?

Rockdale's cost of living index is 103, where 100 represents the national average. This means Rockdale is 3% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $164,400 and the median rent is $1,158 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Rockdale, IL?

Rockdale has a violent crime rate of 204.0 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of None per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Rockdale, IL a Good Place to Live?

Rockdale is a small town of 2,446 in Illinois, with a median household income of $49,246 and a 8.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 103 (US average = 100), which is 3% above the national average.

Strengths: Rockdale stands out for below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Rockdale is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Rockdale city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 102.6

Rockdale's overall cost of living index is 102.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Rockdale costs roughly 3% more than the average American city.

Metric	Rockdale, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$164,400	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,158	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	46.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$49,246	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Rockdale's violent crime rate is 204.0 per 100,000 residents — 46% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

204.0 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Rockdale is served primarily by Rockdale SD 84. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.7:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Rockdale, IL	National Avg
School District	Rockdale SD 84	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	11.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	78.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Rockdale sees average highs of 31.1°F in January and 83.6°F in July, with 38.0 inches of annual precipitation and 16.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Rockdale, IL
Average High — January	31.1°F
Average High — July	83.6°F
Annual Precipitation	38.0"
Annual Snowfall	16.9"

Demographics

Metric	Rockdale, IL	National Avg
Population	2,446	—
Median Age	30.8	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	23.3 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	68.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	4.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	19.3%	18.9%
Asian	0.6%	6.3%
Under 18	22.6%	22.2%
65 and over	10.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Joliet, IL 2 mi Preston Heights, IL 2 mi Ridgewood, IL 5 mi Sunnyland, IL 5 mi Shorewood, IL 5 mi

Rockdale vs Other Cities

Rockdale, IL vs Joliet, IL Rockdale, IL vs Preston Heights, IL Rockdale, IL vs Ridgewood, IL Rockdale, IL vs Sunnyland, IL Rockdale, IL vs Shorewood, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rockdale, IL affordable or expensive?

Rockdale's cost of living index is 103, where 100 is the national average. That puts Rockdale roughly 3% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $164,400 and median rent is $1,158/month.

What is the crime rate in Rockdale, IL?

Rockdale's violent crime rate is 204.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is None per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Rockdale?

Public schools in Rockdale are operated by Rockdale SD 84. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and several high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.7:1. 11.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Rockdale, IL a good place to live?

Rockdale, IL has a population of 2,446, a median household income of $49,246, and an unemployment rate of 8.2%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Rockdale?

Rockdale averages 31.1°F in January and 83.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.0 inches with about 16.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Rockdale?

The population of Rockdale, Illinois is 2,446 with a median age of 30.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Rockdale?

Key numbers for living in Rockdale: cost of living index 103 (100 = US average), median home $164,400, median household income $49,246, schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Rockdale side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.