Joliet, IL vs Rockford, IL
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Rockford, IL and Joliet, IL spend within 3.6% of each other per resident — $19,348 versus $18,675 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Rockford, IL holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 59/100 (grade C) against 40/100 (grade D) for Joliet, IL — a 19-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Rockford, IL reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Joliet, IL carries $4,260 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Joliet, IL at $459 per resident and in Rockford, IL at $2,329.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 92% of total revenue in Joliet, IL and 100% in Rockford, IL.
Summary
Rockford spends 3.5% more per capita than Joliet ($673/person difference). Rockford, IL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 59/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Sales Tax | $323 | $749 |
| Income Tax | $1,006 | $0 |
| Intergovernmental | $12,066 | $6,178 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,156 | $2,152 |
| Other | $3,429 | $2,314 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $208 | $0 |
| Highways & Roads | $165 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $2,118 | $724 |
| Health | $450 | $593 |
| Hospitals | $485 | $0 |
| Parks & Recreation | $459 | $2,329 |
| Housing | $3,292 | $4,267 |
| Sewerage | $94 | $0 |
| Utilities | $3,400 | $1,320 |
| Other | $8,005 | $10,115 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.