Welcome to Rock Island, Illinois

Rock Island is a proud community with a rich and fascinating history. As one of the Quad Cities – that unique area of Illinois and Iowa where the Mississippi River runs west, Rock Island looks to the future with innovative housing and development programs modeled by other cities in the U.S.

Rock Island's downtown, “The District”, is vibrant and active with businesses, shops, restaurants, a nationally recognized dinner theatre, comedy club, and riverboat casino. Culture and diversity are celebrated in the many Festivals and Fairs hosted by “The District” throughout the year. The Quad City Criterium Bike Race and The Rock Island Grand Prix are two international sporting events held right on the city streets.

The Rock Island Arsenal is an active U.S. Army facility with the 2nd oldest U.S. Army museum. Augustana College, a well-respected liberal arts college, makes its home in Rock Island drawing local and international students and professors to its campus. Trinity Health Systems, one of the area's largest with 3 hospitals and numerous clinics, makes its home in Rock Island as well.

The school district's Rock Island High School produces a record number of National Merit Scholars. Alternative private schooling can be found in Jordan Catholic School, Horace Mann, and Alleman High School.

Recreational opportunities can be found throughout the city. One can enjoy the waterfront on the Rock or Mississippi Rivers, or hike, swim, play tennis, or picnic at one of Rock Island's many parks including wooded Blackhawk State, Lincoln, or Longview. Golfing can be enjoyed at the Saukie or Highland Springs courses.

Rock Island is noted for its lovely, wooded residential neighborhoods. New construction subdivisions of homes and condominiums have been recently developed within the city and in the more suburban Southwest Rock Island area. Affordable housing is readily available as well as homes in more prestigious areas such as Watch Hill and Wildwood.

Rock Island is a city embracing its heritage while progressively looking toward the future.