Winnebago County, Illinois

Winnebago County
Winnebago County Justice Center
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°20′N 89°10′W / 42.33°N 89.16°W / 42.33; -89.16
Country United States
State Illinois
FoundedJanuary 16, 1836
Named afterWinnebago people
SeatRockford
Largest cityRockford
Area
  Total
519 sq mi (1,340 km2)
  Land513 sq mi (1,330 km2)
  Water5.9 sq mi (15 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
285,350
  Estimate 
(2023)
280,922
  Density550/sq mi (210/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts16th, 17th
Websitewincoil.gov

Winnebago County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 285,350 making it the seventh most populous county in Illinois behind Cook County and its five surrounding collar counties. Its county seat is Rockford. Winnebago County is the central county of the Rockford metropolitan area.