Rockford, IL vs Joliet, 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 Rockford, IL at $2,329 per resident and in Joliet, IL at $459.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Rockford, IL and 92% in Joliet, IL.
Summary
Rockford spends 3.6% 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 | $749 | $323 |
| Income Tax | $0 | $1,006 |
| Intergovernmental | $6,178 | $12,066 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,152 | $2,156 |
| Other | $2,314 | $3,429 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $0 | $208 |
| Highways & Roads | $0 | $165 |
| Public Welfare | $724 | $2,118 |
| Health | $593 | $450 |
| Hospitals | $0 | $485 |
| Parks & Recreation | $2,329 | $459 |
| Housing | $4,267 | $3,292 |
| Sewerage | $0 | $94 |
| Utilities | $1,320 | $3,400 |
| Other | $10,115 | $8,005 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.