By Cole Lauterbach/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Nearly all of Illinois’ counties shrank in population last year.
Census data released Thursday show Illinois is shrinking in 89 of 102 counties. While Cook County led the way, seeing its population shrink by more than 21,000, St. Clair, Peoria, Winnebago, and Rock Island counties all lost at least 1,000 people in the 12 months that ended in July of last year. McLean County’s population shrunk by more than 600.
The data also show net outmigration from all of Illinois’ metropolitan areas. In other words, people moving out of the area outnumbered people moving into the area. The metro areas shrank in total population because the number of births and immigrants couldn’t make up for the number of people leaving and dying. Only Elgin and the Champaign area gained population last year.
This data is coupled with information showing 93 of Illinois’ 102 counties are experiencing the same phenomenon.
“When you look at the metro areas around the country, you still see some counties that are experiencing population loss. So for example, Cook County in Chicago lost about 21,000 people last year,” said Ben Bolender, an analyst with the Census Bureau.
Population loss comes with significant consequences. The next reordering of Congress in 2020 would see Illinois lose two representatives in the U.S. House. Loss of population also means fewer electoral votes come presidential election time. In the private sector, businesses looking to locate will often base their decisions on the growth rate of the local population. Big negative numbers like this can be enough to send them looking elsewhere, expert say.
“It will be a net-negative on those who regard both workers and certainly customers in high regard,” said Dr. John Jackson, Political Science professor at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. “On the political front, you lose numbers in the Electoral College and you lose representation in the House of Representatives.”
The report shows the biggest reason for the population losses statewide are people leaving cities for other states. Over the course of one year ending July 2016, the state lost 114,144 residents to other states on net. According to 2013 IRS Data, Illinois lost the most people to Texas, Florida, and Indiana.
