Rosies Diner, 2009
Rockford’s story
161 years in pictures
Census counts: 582 in 1870, 6,142 in 2020. The archive holds 10 old photos and papers going back to 2005 and 3 maps from 1918 on.
- 1865Rockford is platted
RockfordMI
A town of 6,313, platted in 1865.
Population
6,313
2025 Census estimate · +2.2% since 2020
Typical home
$458K
+5.7% in a year
Household income
$107K
median
Median age
38.5
years
Jobs based here
4,702
A job hub
TownGrade
A
#108 of 697 in MI
Is Rockford a good place to live?
Rockford's standout: it has 5 miles of trail and 29% conserved land. Overall it grades A, 108th among Michigan's 697 graded towns. Its public schools beat 95% of Michigan towns on state tests and graduation and it is healthier than 75% of U.S. towns. 29% of the land in Rockford is conserved, above both the Michigan town median (4.4%) and the median of U.S. towns (4.3%).
What makes Rockford stand out
Where Rockford beats most towns.
OutdoorsA+
28.6% conserved land
Biggest place to walk: Memorial Park, 0.4 mi of trail.
Rockford Public Schools
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Valley View Elementary School | K–5 | 336 |
| Parkside Elementary School | PK–5 | 179 |
| Our Lady of Consolation School | PK–8 | 261 |
SchoolsA+
On state tests and graduation
NCES · EDFacts.
Get outside
5 miles of trails in Rockford
28.6% of the town is conserved land, across 9 parks and preserves.
2
Glen Park7 acres
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
How Rockford grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Michigan), ordered by how far Rockford is from typical.
SchoolsA+Open →HealthSpectrum Health 12.8 miles awayA−Open →Jobs & incomeB+Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 29% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listB+Open →SafetyBOpen →Cost of livingC+Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 8.2 of 20; 5.4% of households have no car; 1% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
OutdoorsA+Open →HistoryPlatted 1865; 9 notable people born hereCOpen →Civic life2.8 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB+Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Housing market6 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 38.5; 54% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Rockford: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Rockford, and how to reach them.
PowerDTE20.2¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterRockford water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet8 providers98% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Rockford’s trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn Michigan you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereRockford City ClerkThe town itself; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Oct 2021
ZIP code4934149341 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 12, 2025.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Rockford.
Rockford has schools in the top 5% of Michigan, draws workers from Grand Rapids and beyond and is one of Michigan’s best towns for the outdoors.
HousingCost of living grade C+
Rockford’s typical home value is about $458K
66.5% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, against 50.4% across Michigan. The median property tax bill is $4,707, against $2,904 across Michigan, another input to its cost-of-living grade.
The typical Rockford home is worth about $458,000, up 5.7% in a year, 73% above the Michigan typical home.
$458KZillow home value
| Rockford | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 77% | 84% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,111 a month | $1,045 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Rockford$458K
Michigan$264K
Market temperature
6
days on market
101.6%
sale-to-list price
+5.7%
value change, 1 year
12
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
SchoolsA+
Rockford’s grade for schools is an A+
Its A+ ranks #26 of the 699 Michigan towns we grade for schools.
Its public schools are run by the Rockford Public Schools. Three of its 5 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
95%of MI districts it outscoresA+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Rockford Middle SchoolLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 908 | A |
| River Valley AcademyLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 37 | C− |
| Valley View Elementary SchoolTop results in townGrades K–5 | Grades K–5 | 336 | A+ |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MI on state tests and graduation
OutdoorsA+
Conserved land covers nearly a quarter of Rockford
Its A+ for the outdoors ranks #3 of 701 in Michigan.
5.2 miles of trail in 9 parks and preserves. Rockford’s trail density is 1.6 miles per square mile, above both Michigan’s towns (0.3) and U.S. towns (0.4).
#73for trails in MI
28.6%
conserved · 600 of 2,096 acres
5.2 mi
of trails · 1.6 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Memorial Park | 0.4 mi | 7 |
| 2. Glen Park | — | 7 |
| 3. River Ave. Park | 0.1 mi | 2 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B+
Most working residents commute out of Rockford
4,702 jobs are based in Rockford, 1.7 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in. 23.1% of workers work from home, against 13.5% across Michigan.
Most working residents leave Rockford for work: only 9% work in town. Rockford’s median household income is $107,000. Since 2011, Rockford has added 689 jobs, to 4,702 in 2021.
9%work in town
| Rockford | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $107,000 | $77,000 | $80,000 |
| Below the poverty line | 5% | 8.9% | 9.6% |
| Working residents who work in town | 9% | 5.9% | 8% |
Where working residents work
In Rockford9%
Grand Rapids24%
Plainfield Township6%
Kentwood5%
Wyoming5%
13 mi
median commute distance
4,702
jobs based in Rockford
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
B−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 53% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2021 · ACS
HealthA−
Rockford’s grade for health is an A−
Against the 7,599 U.S. towns with household incomes like Rockford’s, it is healthier than 58%, a smaller edge than it has nationally: part of it comes with its incomes.
30% of Rockford adults have been diagnosed with depression. Rockford beats the Michigan average on 13 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 2. 31% of Rockford adults have high blood pressure.
75%healthier than U.S. townsA−Health Grade
| Rockford | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 30% | 27% | 23% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 31% | 36% | 35% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 25% | 25% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 9.4% | 12% | 12% |
32 measures vs. Michigan
13 better17 too close to call2 worse
| What stands out | Rockford | MI |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 11% | 15.4% |
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 6.5% | 8.7% |
| More adults with depression | 29.5% | 25.7% |
Spectrum Health
12.8 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
79th
percentile among MI towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B+
Rockford faces a low natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 71% of U.S. communities.
29risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesStrong wind
4
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
Snowy winters and pleasant summers in Rockford
Rockford has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. July afternoons reach 83°, January nights drop to 16° and about 75 inches of snow falls in a winter.
75″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter18–33°
Spring35–57°
Summer57–81°
Fall40–60°
Oct 10
typical first frost
May 6
typical last frost
+1.5°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
SafetyB
Rockford reports less crime per resident than 62% of U.S. towns
The property crime rate in Rockford is 4.7 per 1,000 residents.
62%of U.S. towns report more crimeBSafety Grade
| Rockford | Michigan towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 4.7 per 1,000 residents | 8 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 2.4 per 1,000 residents | 1.9 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Rockford2.4
Michigan4.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Rockford4.7
Michigan13
U.S.15.5
62nd
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
63rd
percentile among MI towns
15
violent crimes reported in 2025
30
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Nearby attractions
All 26 attractions →Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and 13 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Rockford. Close and well known come first.
13 mi MuseumGerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
18 mi Park & preserveNorth Country Trail
11 mi MuseumFrederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park39 mi Theme parkMichigan's Adventure
38 mi MuseumJim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia14 mi TheatreAcrisure AmphitheaterSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum: Staff of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Public domain · North Country Trail: Huron-Manistee National Forests, Public domain · Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: User Jeffness on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.5 · Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia: Jim Crow Museum, CC BY-SA 4.0
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Rockford
20pages on Rockford
The big questions
SchoolsA+Beat 95% of MI districts · 5 schoolsSafetyB2.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthA−Better than MI on 13 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC+$458K typical home · up 5.7% in a yearWork & commuteB+$107K median household income · 4,702 jobs hereNatural hazardsB+FEMA risk higher than 29% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
6 within 15 miles of the center of Rockford
Kuyper CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Grand Rapids8.2 mi$27,660 tuitionCornerstone UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Grand Rapids11 mi$23,000 tuitionGrand Rapids Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Grand Rapids13 mi$4,179 in-state tuition
About 4 of every 100 Rockford residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Michigan.
A job hub
Every workday, about 4,451 people come to Rockford for work
Where Rockford’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
4,702jobs based in Rockford
9%of working residents work in town
13 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2021
Famous people from Rockford
9 notable people were born in Rockford.
S
Sean LewisAmerican soccer player · born 1992
J
John C. SjogrenUnited States Army Medal of Honor recipient · 1916–1987About Rockford
City in Michigan, United States
Rockford is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,177 at the 2020 census. Located along the Rogue River, the city is part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area and is about 10 miles (16.1 km) north of the city of Grand Rapids.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 3.3 sq mi
- Elevation
- 702 ft
- ZIP code
- 49341, 49351
- Area code
- 616
Rockford’s neighbors
4 towns share a border with Rockford.
Algoma TownshipCourtland TownshipCannon TownshipPlainfield TownshipRockford
How the neighbors grade
| Town | MI rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford | #108 | A | C+ | B | A+ | A− |
| Algoma Township | #161 | A− | C | — | A | A− |
| Courtland Township | #109 | A | C+ | — | A | A− |
| Cannon Township | #89 | A | C | — | A+ | A |
| Plainfield Township | #80 | A | C+ | — | A | A− |
Algoma Township, Courtland Township, Cannon Township and Plainfield Township report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Rockford with a neighbor →
Questions about Rockford
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Rockford, MI a good place to live?
By most measures, yes. Rockford grades A overall, better than 86% of U.S. towns and #108 of 697 in Michigan. It grades A− for health, B for safety and A+ for schools.
Is Rockford, MI expensive?
That is 5.5 years of the area's median household income ($82,874 across the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C+.
What is Rockford, MI known for?
Rockford was platted in 1865. 9 notable people were born here, including Joe Staley and Sean Lewis.