Biggest sources of immigrants to Rockford
Written by:
February 9, 2021
Pascal Müller // Unsplash
Biggest sources of immigrants to Rockford
Nearly 14% of the United States population is composed of immigrants. But in reality, the vast majority of Americans today are here because of relatives who immigrated from other countries some time in the last several hundred years.
And while the distinctive American culture and spirit is the result of blending many diverse cultures and histories, the United States has for centuries had an up-and-down relationship with immigration.
Each era of immigration has been met with reductive ideas and resistance, whether the backlash was directed toward the Chinese, Irish, Italians, or Mexicans. Immigration laws have targeted specific groups at various times, stoking intolerance and preventing people from truly joining American society. Over time, however, as laws changed to be more equitable and immigrants found their footings, we have reaped the rewards of innovation in business, music, art, literature, dance, food, societal norms, entertainment, and sports—all while realizing a greater understanding of and respect for different cultures, religions, and ideas.
Stacker compiled a list of the countries most immigrants to Rockford come from, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Countries are ranked by highest number of foreign-born residents who lived in Rockford as of 2019’s five-year estimates.
Keep reading to find out more about the immigrant community in your home city.
1 / 40
Kendra Helmer // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Haiti
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 94
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 672,655
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #15 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 94
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 672,655
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #15 most common country of origin
2 / 40
Evgeniya Uvarova // Shutterstock
#39. Argentina
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 105
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 194,435
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #39 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 105
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 194,435
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #39 most common country of origin
3 / 40
William Perugini // Shutterstock
#38. Norway
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 106
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 23,343
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #116 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 106
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 23,343
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #116 most common country of origin
4 / 40
Augustin Lazaroiu // Shutterstock
#37. Romania
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 112
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 162,046
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #45 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 112
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 162,046
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #45 most common country of origin
5 / 40
Michael Shade // Wikicommons
#36. Ecuador
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 122
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 438,474
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #19 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 122
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 438,474
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #19 most common country of origin
6 / 40
Unsplash
#34 (tie). Ukraine
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 345,250
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #28 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 345,250
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #28 most common country of origin
7 / 40
Nataliya Nazarova // Shutterstock
#34 (tie). Serbia
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 37,570
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #96 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 37,570
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #96 most common country of origin
8 / 40
Viacheslav Lopatin // Shutterstock
#33. Russia
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 136
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 391,641
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #22 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 136
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 391,641
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #22 most common country of origin
9 / 40
Tupungato // Shutterstock
#31 (tie). France
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 181,554
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #41 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 181,554
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #41 most common country of origin
10 / 40
ExplorerBob // Pixabay
#31 (tie). North Macedonia (Macedonia)
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 26,292
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #111 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 26,292
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #111 most common country of origin
11 / 40
OpenUpEd // Flickr
#30. Nigeria
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 141
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 350,272
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #26 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 141
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 350,272
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #26 most common country of origin
12 / 40
Alexander Canas Arango // Shutterstock
#29. Colombia
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 145
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 145
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
13 / 40
Marek Poplawski // Shutterstock
#27 (tie). Honduras
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 160
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 160
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
14 / 40
Unsplash
#27 (tie). Japan
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 160
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 160
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
15 / 40
Fitria Ramli // Shutterstock
#26. Saudi Arabia
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 161
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 85,000
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #70 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 161
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 85,000
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #70 most common country of origin
16 / 40
Bernard Gagnon // Wikimedia Commons
#25. Syria
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 172
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 95,802
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #63 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 172
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 95,802
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #63 most common country of origin
17 / 40
Issa Kashala // Shutterstock
#24. Democratic Republic of Congo
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 176
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 43,723
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #91 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 176
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 43,723
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #91 most common country of origin
18 / 40
Sergei25 // Shutterstock
#23. Jordan
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 180
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 81,155
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #71 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 180
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 81,155
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #71 most common country of origin
19 / 40
Alexandra Pugachevsky // Wikicommons
#22. Yemen
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 204
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 54,152
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #82 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 204
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 54,152
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #82 most common country of origin
20 / 40
Cheng Qian // Unsplash
#21. Burma
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 252
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 147,573
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #47 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 252
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 147,573
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #47 most common country of origin
21 / 40
Photos By Beks // Unsplash
#20. Kenya
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 259
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 141,751
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #48 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 259
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 141,751
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #48 most common country of origin
22 / 40
Kys951 // Wikimedia Commons
#19. South Korea
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 279
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 279
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
23 / 40
Catarina Belova // Shutterstock
#18. Brazil
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 290
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 290
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
24 / 40
Jack Bkk // Shutterstock
#17. Thailand
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 294
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 255,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #32 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 294
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 255,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #32 most common country of origin
25 / 40
Kobby Dagan // Shutterstock
#16. Guatemala
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 314
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 314
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
26 / 40
Falkenpost // Pixabay
#15. Cuba
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 320
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 320
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
27 / 40
Quangpraha // Pixabay
#14. Vietnam
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 322
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 322
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
28 / 40
USACE HQ , JIM GORDAN, CIV, USACE // Wikicommons
#13. Iraq
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 346
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 346
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
29 / 40
Unsplash
#12. Canada
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 358
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 358
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
30 / 40
Saqib Rizvi // Shutterstock
#11. Pakistan
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 361
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 361
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
31 / 40
Pixabay
#10. Italy
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 409
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 332,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #30 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 409
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 332,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #30 most common country of origin
32 / 40
User:Colin // Wikimedia Commons
#9. United Kingdom
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 546
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.9%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 546
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.9%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
33 / 40
Pascal Müller // Unsplash
#8. Laos
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 577
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.0%
National
- Number of residents: 181,546
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #42 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 577
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.0%
National
- Number of residents: 181,546
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #42 most common country of origin
34 / 40
neshom // Pixabay
#7. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 595
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.0%
National
- Number of residents: 103,938
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #57 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 595
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.0%
National
- Number of residents: 103,938
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #57 most common country of origin
35 / 40
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#6. China
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 628
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.1%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 628
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.1%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
36 / 40
Max Pixel
#5. Germany
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 636
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 636
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
37 / 40
Nahlik // Shutterstock
#4. Poland
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 645
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
National
- Number of residents: 410,841
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #21 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 645
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
National
- Number of residents: 410,841
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #21 most common country of origin
38 / 40
Kriangkrai Thitimakorn // Shutterstock
#3. India
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,041
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.5%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,041
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.5%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
39 / 40
Joseph Oropel // Shutterstock
#2. Philippines
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,299
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.4%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,299
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.4%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
40 / 40
Jakub Hejtmánek // Wikicommons
#1. Mexico
Rockford, IL Metro Area
- Number of residents: 14,024
- Percent of foreign born residents: 47.7%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 14,024
- Percent of foreign born residents: 47.7%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
