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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Rockford, IL vs Joliet, IL

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

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

City A
Rockford, IL
Pop. 148,173
C
59/100
Budget Balance36
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency65
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Joliet, IL
Pop. 150,221
D
40/100
Budget Balance37
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency69
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Rockford
Joliet
Total Spending
$2.9B
$2.8B
Spending / Capita
$19,348
$18,675
Total Revenue
$915.4M
$2.0B
Revenue / Capita
$6,178
$13,072
Total Debt
$0
$639.9M
Debt / Capita
$0
$4,260
Population
148,173
150,221
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Rockford$0
Joliet$208
Highways & Roads
Rockford$0
Joliet$165
Parks & Recreation
Rockford$2,329
Joliet$459
Health
Rockford$593
Joliet$450

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RockfordJoliet
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)

RockfordJoliet
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
C
Rockford, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 59/100
Average fiscal health
D
Joliet, IL
Fiscal Health Score: 40/100
Below average fiscal health

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