Population is Declining in the Majority of Illinois’ Largest Cities

Champaign, Elgin, Naperville, Oak Park, Bolingbrook and Aurora are the only cities in Illinois (with populations over 50,000) that showed population growth from July, 2014 to July, 2015, according to some new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Census released data on 29 Illinois cities, including Chicago. Only six had population growth, while a staggering 23 experienced a population decline from 2014 to 2015, the data shows. Chicago's population declined by 2,890 people over the 12-month period – the second-worst population decline in the nation. The only city that shrank by more than Chicago is the city of Detroit, which had a population decline of 3,107.

So, in this look at 29 Illinois cities, where does Rockford place on the list? Well, Rockford is among the 26 cities with populations over 50,000 that showed a decline.

Michael Lucci, vice president of policy at Illinois Policy Institute has this take on the news from the U.S. Census Bureau:

“Today’s report and the dozens of others chronicling’ the massive exodus of people from Illinois send a clear message to lawmakers: The way we are doing things today is not working. People are voting with their feet and deciding Illinois is not for them. Equally concerning is the fact that many municipalities in Illinois are fiscally unstable due to out-of-control pension debt and financial mismanagement. A shrinking population means fewer people to carry this debt burden. Illinois needs economic growth and financial restructuring, but this can only be done through serious reforms."

Here are a few highlights of the Census report on outbound migration in Illinois (courtesy of the Illinois Policy Institute):

• Illinois' population shrank by 22,000 from July 2014 to July 2015, and this population loss is driven by outmigration to other states.

• Population grew in only six of the cities in Illinois that have a population above 50,000. These cities are: Champaign, Elgin, Naperville, Oak Park, Bolingbrook and Aurora.

• Population declined in 23 of the cities in Illinois that have a population above 50,000. These cities are: Wheaton, Joliet, Orland Park, Chicago, Palatine, Arlington Heights, Tinley Park, Springfield, Schaumburg, Normal, Mouth Prospect, Waukegan, Hoffman Estates, Oak Lawn, Evanston,  Skokie, Des Plaines, Rockford, Cicero, Bloomington, Berwyn, Peoria and Decatur.

• Chicago had the second-largest population decline in the U.S, shrinking by 2,890 people.

• Illinois is an outlier when compared to its border states. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that population increased in the majority of large cities in Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

I've got to give the optimist prize to an un-named co-worker who, after reading this, pointed out: "Hey, that means more parking for me!"