Rockford

Rockford is a city in northern Illinois, United States, situated on the Rock River. It is the county seat of Winnebago County and lies about 85 miles (137 kilometers) northwest of Chicago. As a regional urban center, Rockford supports a diversified economy and cultural life.

Founded in the 1830s, Rockford grew as a manufacturing center in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, aided by water power from the Rock River and the arrival of railroads. The city experienced periods of rapid expansion and later economic restructuring, influencing its neighborhoods and demographics.

Today the economy is diversified, with health care, manufacturing, logistics, and education among its major sectors. Cultural attractions include the Rockford Art Museum, the Coronado Performing Arts Center, and the Discovery Center Museum for children. The Anderson Japanese Gardens, widely regarded as among the best in North America, is a regional landmark.

Rockford is served by a regional airport and a network of highways linking it to Chicago and other Midwestern cities. Educational institutions include Rockford University, a private university, along with public and private schools and regional campuses of larger universities.

Other places named Rockford exist in the United States and Canada, including Rockford in Michigan and Alabama and in Ontario. The name commonly reflects geographic features or early settlement patterns, and the places share a general association with communities named Rockford.