Are you exploring new places to call home in Illinois? Moving to Loves Park IL may be exactly what you need. Known as “The City with a Heart,” this charming community offers a blend of small-town atmosphere with the amenities of city life, located conveniently close to both Rockford and Chicago. Living in Loves Park IL offers great neighborhoods and beautiful natural surroundings, including the scenic Rock Cut State Park.
Living in Loves Park IL has a little something for everyone. The city is divided into the East Side and the West Side, each with its own unique offerings for residents. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly neighborhoods, modern apartments, or easy access to recreational spaces, this city has it all. Let’s dive into everything you should know about living in Loves Park IL.
Is Loves Park IL a Good Place to Live?
Loves Park IL is a good place to live. This family-friendly city offers residents excellent housing, top-rated schools, and a welcoming community. When living in Loves Park IL, you’ll be close to several outdoor attractions, including Rock Cut State Park. You’ll also be just a short drive away from some of the best Rockford 55+ communities.
Where Is Loves Park Illinois?
What county is Loves Park IL in? The city of Loves Park is located in both Winnebago and Boone Counties (the west side belongs to Winnebago County and a small sliver of the east side is located in Boone County). When living in Loves Park IL, you can enjoy quick trips to cities like Roscoe IL (7.2 miles away) and Rockford IL (5.0 miles away). If you’re looking for a big city trip, then Chicago is 86.5 miles away, and Madison WI is 69 miles away.
The family-friendly city offers a peaceful rural vibe, with Rock Cut State Park just a short drive away. When living in Loves Park IL, you’ll want to own a vehicle. However, RMTD does provide a bus service connecting the city to downtown Rockford.
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Loves Park Population & Demographics
How many people are living in Loves Park IL? There are currently 23,397 people living in Loves Park IL. The city is fairly diverse, with a racial and ethnic composition of 78.4% White (73.9% non-Hispanic), 9.3% two or more races, 7.3% Black or African American, and 3.1% Asian. As a family-friendly city, 52% of households are occupied by married couples, and the median age of the residents is 36.6.
Additional Loves Park Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 52.7% female, 47.3% male
- Educational attainment: 92.1% high school degree (or higher), 25.8% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Median household income: $56,370 (compared to the Illinois average of $78,433)
- Foreign-born population: 8.0%
- Notable people from Loves Park: Cartoonist Dick Kulpa, singer Robin Zander
Before moving to Loves Park, you’ll want to know more about the crime rate in the city. Here’s an overview of the Loves Park crime rate:
- Overall crime rate: 1,813 crimes per 100,000 people (8.0% lower than state average and 22.0% lower than national average)
- Violent crime rate: 340 crimes per 100,000 people (18.3% higher than state average and 8.1% lower than national average)
- Property crime rate: 1,473 crimes per 100,000 people (12.5% lower than state average and 24.6% lower than national average)
For the most part, the crime rates in Loves Park are below the state and national averages. As such, Loves Park IL is safe. The Loves Park crime rate is also well below the Rockford IL crime rate, making it a safer alternative to this bigger city. When living in Loves Park IL, you’ll be protected by the Loves Park Police Department.
Loves Park Cost of Living
Is living in Loves Park IL affordable for you and your family? Residents living in this city can enjoy a very affordable cost of living! The Cost of Living Index in Loves Park is 79, making the city 21% more affordable than the national average of 100.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Loves Park IL would need to earn $94,784 to live comfortably in the city.
Typical Loves Park Living Expenses
- Loaf of bread: $3.87
- Gallon of milk: $4.56
- Carton of eggs: $3.38
- Doctor’s visit: $140.32
- Gallon of gas: $3.62
- Phone bill (monthly): $175.93
- Average Loves Park utilities per month: $181.86
Source: Payscale
Luckily, you can enjoy very affordable real estate when living in Loves Park IL. According to Redfin, the median home price in Loves Park IL is $161,250, which is well below the national average of $428,000. Although these prices are low, the Loves Park IL real estate market is quite competitive, and homes only stay on the market for an average of 5 days.
Would you rather rent Loves Park real estate? There are plenty of apartments and condos to rent in and around Loves Park. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Loves Park is $1,350 per month, which is well below the national average of $1,713.
Neighborhoods in Loves Park | Best Places to Live in Loves Park
When living in Loves Park IL, you’ll find that there aren’t too many distinct neighborhoods, but the city is often divided into the East Side and the West Side. The East Side offers a more laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere. In this area, you’ll find quiet streets and single-family homes surrounded by nature at places like Rock Cut State Park and Meadows of Spring Brook Park.
For those who want to enjoy city life when living in Loves Park IL, then the West Side may be a better fit. This area is closer to the city of Rockford and is more fast-paced. This area is more walkable, and most people in the area rent real estate.
Loves Park IL Weather & Climate
After moving to Loves Park, you’ll enjoy hot and humid summers and very cold winters. In the winter, the city experiences an average annual snowfall of 35 inches per year (higher than the national average of 28). Additionally, the average annual rainfall in the city is 37 inches (lower than the national average of 38). When living in Loves Park IL, you’ll experience a wide range of temperatures. The coldest month is January, with an average Loves Park temperature of 22ºF, while the warmest month is July, with an average temperature of 73.5ºF.
Things to Do in Loves Park IL
When living in Loves Park IL, there’s no shortage of exciting things to do. For grocery shopping, check out places like Valli Produce and Schnucks Loves Park. If you want to take part in retail shopping, then Gateway of Machesney Park and North Towne are both great options.
Grab the family and head to Volcano Falls Adventure Park, which features mini golf, go-karts, laser tag, and an arcade.
7602 Rock Valley Pkwy, Loves Park, IL 61111, (815) 282-2100
This riverfront park is complete with gardens, a golf course, playgrounds, and a conservatory.
1401 N 2nd St, Rockford, IL 61107, (815) 987-8858
When living in Loves Park IL, you can’t skip out on Anderson Japanese Gardens. This 12-acre landscape features gorgeous Japanese Gardens as well as a cozy cafe.
318 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, IL 61107, (815) 229-9390
Additional Loves Park Attractions
When living in Loves Park IL, you can check the city calendar to explore events going on in the city.
Restaurants in Loves Park IL
One of the biggest benefits of living in Loves Park IL is the fantastic food. These are a few Loves Park restaurants you can’t skip out on.
Everyone living in Loves Park IL loves Backyard Grill & Bar! This cozy American restaurant is open late, serving up burgers, steaks, and salad in a laid-back setting.
6473 N 2nd St, Loves Park, IL 61111, (815) 636-9430
Waffle Shop is easily one of the best restaurants in Loves Park IL, offering waffles, pancakes, omelets, and more.
6106 E Riverside Blvd, Loves Park, IL 61111, (815) 282-4400
You need to check out Nunzio’s Restaurant after moving to Loves Park! This family-owned joint features pizzas, sandwiches, chicken, seafood, and more!
5800 N 2nd St, Loves Park, IL 61111, (815) 633-5000
Loves Park Jobs
When living in Loves Park IL, there are plenty of amazing job opportunities for you and your family. Most people living in the city commute to Rockford for work, and the city is home to top employers like:
- Collins Aerospace: 2,000 employees
- Woodward: 2,000 employees
- Amazon: 1,535 employees
- Wal-Mart Stores: 1,470 employees
- Stellantis: 1,459 employees
- Lowe’s: 1,110 employees
According to Payscale, the average salary in the Loves Park/Rockford area is $71,000. If you’re interested in searching for jobs in Loves Park IL, then check out the city job board or search for ‘Loves Park jobs’ on Indeed.
Loves Park Schools
If you’re living in Loves Park IL with children, then you’ll want to explore the amazing schools the city has to offer. When living in Loves Park IL, you and your family will be served by Harlem School District 122. This Loves Park school district serves 6,178 students across 11 schools. Harlem High School, located in nearby Machesney Park, is home to a Science Olympiad Team that often wins regional and state competitions.
If you’re interested in private schooling, then you’ll find plenty of options nearby, including St. Bridget Catholic School, Acton Academy Rockford, and Keith Country Day School.
Students and residents living in Loves Park IL can find a good book or enjoy a quiet place to study at the North Suburban Library.
Loves Park Statistics & Information
- County: Winnebago and Boone counties
- Loves Park area: 16.85 square miles
- Loves Park IL zip code: 61131-61130
- Loves Park IL area code: 779, 815
- Loves Park IL elevation: 728 feet
- Loves Park IL time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
- Closest airport to Loves Park IL: Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD), 9.3 miles away
Loves Park IL Map
Here’s a map you can refer to when living in Loves Park IL.
Is moving to Loves Park on your agenda? Living in Loves Park IL is a great experience for singles, families, and retirees alike! If you’re ready to make your move, allow the experts at StraightLine Moving to assist you! Give our Loves Park movers a call today at (815) 708-7875 for a free quote!
