| City: | Rapids City, Illinois |
| County: | Rock Island County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:10:24 AM |
| Population: | 697 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 309 / 861 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 41.5801, -90.3435 |
| Land Area: | 1.551 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Rapids City is a small community in Rock Island County, Illinois, with 697 residents and 308 households occupying just 0.04 square miles along the Mississippi River. Despite its PO Box classification, the post office supports both PO Box service (232 boxes) and rural carrier delivery across two routes. With 75% of households using PO Boxes and this being designated a PO Box Only Zone, most residents rely on the post office for mail rather than home delivery.
The street grid shows a compact, established town layout. Numbered streets (11th through 19th) run one direction while numbered avenues (1st through 7th) cross the other. 2nd Avenue has the most delivery points with 12 addresses, including both apartments and business suites. The presence of secondary units like APT and STE on 2nd Avenue indicates mixed residential and commercial use in the town center.
It's a working-class community with solid economic stability. Median household income stands at $84,000, well above state averages for rural communities of this size. Median home values of $222,600 and an 89% homeownership rate (275 owner-occupied homes out of 308 total) show long-term residents invested in the community. The median age of 42.4 reflects a mix of working families and established residents.
Rapids City sits in a unique postal position. Though classified as PO Box only, it maintains rural delivery infrastructure serving 63 addresses across 19 different streets. This mixed service pattern (balanced between boxes and delivery) isn't typical for communities this small. The post office also operates 20 business establishments employing 95 people, suggesting the ZIP supports commercial activity beyond its residential base.
Compact numbered grid with avenues running perpendicular to numbered streets, typical of late 19th century Midwest town planning.
ZIP Code 61278 has 697 residents and 308 households (average 2.26 persons per household). The median age is 42.4 years, older than the state (38.8) and older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.6% male and 52.4% female, which is slightly lower than the national male share (49.1%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (94.5%, much higher than the state average of 61.4% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (4.3%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 4.3%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 697Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 678Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 449.4 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $69,938Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 308Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $219,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.26Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.33Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 282 | 309 | 297 | 291 | 383 | 419 | 436 | 479 | 514 | 411 | 662 | 657 | 671 | 678 |
| Decennial Census | 412 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 697 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 42.4
Male Median Age: 45.5
Female Median Age: 41
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 7 | 23 | 29 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 26 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 36 | 25 | 20 | 30 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
| Female | 28 | 13 | 30 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 25 | 26 | 37 | 7 | 13 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 18 | 25 | 11 | 8 |
| Total | 35 | 36 | 59 | 35 | 28 | 27 | 37 | 52 | 59 | 27 | 29 | 62 | 53 | 46 | 48 | 32 | 17 | 15 |
| White: | 659 | 93.87% |
| Black: | 8 | 1.14% |
| Hispanic:* | 30 | 4.27% |
| Asian: | 1 | 0.14% |
| American Indian: | 1 | 0.14% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 3 | 0.43% |
| Total: | 702 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 332 | 47.63% | 45.5 years |
| Females: | 365 | 52.37% | 41.0 years |
| Total: | 697 | 100% | 42.4 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 657 | 96.90% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 9 | 1.33% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 9 | 1.33% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 3 | 1.77% |
| Total Population: | 678 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 666 | 98.23% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 12 | 1.77% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $69,938, which is considerably lower than the national median ($80,734), is down $9,750 (12.2%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $8,063. Family households earn a median of $86,000 versus $31,094 for nonfamily households (a difference of $54,906). By gender, male median income is $83,958 and female is $49,712, which is far less than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $34,246 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 51.9%, which is much lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 7.5%, which is markedly higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (40.0%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $79,688 | $93,125 | $91,250 | $84,444 | $75,714 | $72,813 | $64,250 | $74,375 | $61,875 | $48,750 | $76,607 | $84,167 | $84,000 | $69,938 |
| Median Family Income | $92,857 | $100,962 | $102,875 | $98,906 | $83,194 | $77,292 | $79,643 | $90,625 | $89,643 | $98,958 | $103,125 | $125,833 | $98,750 | $86,000 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $6,750 | $23,750 | $24,375 | $32,188 | $30,938 | $36,250 | $29,375 | $28,750 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $16,304 | $0 | $31,094 |
| Median Male Income | $74,375 | $74,500 | $69,583 | $62,292 | $60,139 | $60,208 | $61,111 | $64,464 | $64,375 | $79,750 | $85,625 | $101,806 | $79,327 | $83,958 |
| Median Female Income | $43,854 | $44,250 | $47,500 | $52,813 | $40,750 | $39,792 | $41,500 | $43,438 | $44,375 | $49,167 | $53,750 | $58,500 | $46,927 | $49,712 |
| Employed: | 285 | 48.06% |
| Unemployed: | 23 | 3.88% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 285 | 48.06% |
| Total: | 593 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 114 | 40.00% |
| Service: | 26 | 9.12% |
| Sales and Office: | 68 | 23.86% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 28 | 9.82% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 49 | 17.19% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 285 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $219,000, which is far less than the national median ($332,700), is up $41,100 (23.10%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $25,200. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $671. Of occupied housing, owners make up 94.65% (38.52% with a mortgage, 61.48% free-and-clear) and renters 5.35% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 8.84%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $177,900 | $166,300 | $181,300 | $167,500 | $153,100 | $166,300 | $163,200 | $195,300 | $193,800 | $189,900 | $200,000 | $247,100 | $222,600 | $219,000 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 9 | 56.25% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 2 | 12.50% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 5 | 31.25% |
| Total: | 16 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $917 | $0 | $575 | $575 | $575 | $620 | $610 | $671 | $758 | $919 | $1,193 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 109 | 36.45% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 174 | 58.19% |
| Renter Occupied: | 16 | 5.35% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 299 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 299 | 91.16% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 29 | 8.84% |
| Total Housing Units: | 328 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 328 | 100.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 328 | 100% |
In 2024, 23.60% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 92.30%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 0.90%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.40%). Public coverage is 47.30%, which is well above the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), down 2.20 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 13.30 percentage points. This suggests a positive shift in the local economic and social landscape - higher incomes, steadier consumer demand, and a strengthening tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (38.26%). College enrollment is 30.87%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 7 | 1.39% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 32 | 6.34% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 182 | 36.04% |
| Some college, no degree: | 106 | 20.99% |
| Associate's degree: | 59 | 11.68% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 63 | 12.48% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 56 | 11.09% |
| Total: | 505 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 466 | 92.28% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 119 | 23.56% |
| Private Insurance: | 519 | 61.35% |
| Public Insurance: | 321 | 37.94% |
| No Insurance: | 6 | 0.71% |
| Total: | 846 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 840 | 99.29% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 3.2% | 3.1% | 2.2% | 4.7% | 11.4% | 16.8% | 15.8% | 15.0% | 14.3% | 20.4% | 3.4% | 2.5% | 1.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 9 | 6.04% |
| Kindergarten: | 3 | 2.01% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 57 | 38.26% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 34 | 22.82% |
| College or graduate school: | 46 | 30.87% |
| Total: | 149 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 12 | 8.05% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 94 | 63.09% |
ZIP Code 61278 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 20 business establishments, employing about 105 people with an annual payroll of $3,109,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 295Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 20Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $682,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $3,109,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 105Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 61278 is located in Rock Island County, Illinois, within the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 19340) and Illinois's 17th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 379,690 people, about 0.18% of whom live in ZIP Code 61278. It covers 1.551 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.194 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-ILSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 19340Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 379,690Source: Census |
| MSA: | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 1.551 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.194 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 17Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 6933.08 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 1762822Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Rapids City village; IllinoisSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 61278 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on March 1, 2026.