It is part of the Rockford, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area The population was 1,443 at the 2010 census, up from 1,081 in 2000.

Its township's beginnings initiated originally in a no longer existing settlement called Elton, an area South of Durand and including parts of the Pecatonica and Rock Run townships and settled in 1835 by Nelson Salisbury, Harvey Lower, and Scott Robb.

They and nine other families settled the Southwest portion of modern Durand, Pecatonica, and Rock Run area.

Durand gave birth to Illinois' first tax-supported volunteer fire department.

[4] Durand's early flourishings were closely linked to the development of the Racine-Mississippi Railroad later absorbed into Western Union.

At this time, Durand saw the beginning of its prosperity which entailed the demise of the Elton settlement.