According to the United States Census Bureau, Illinois population is estimated to have grown by 67,899 residents in the last year.
Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research with Illinois policy is tying this growth to immigration.
Hill says Illinois might have Texas Governor Greg Abbott to thank for this growth. Abbott shipped migrants to sanctuary cities across the country, including Chicago. Hill reports that this is more than 10 times what the state received in 2021 and nearly 5 times more than what the state gained in the ten years leading up to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Natural population growth in the state is also a factor as births narrowly out pace deaths in Illinois.
Illinois ranks 46th in terms of domestic migration from the state. Hill points to surveys that show people are leaving the state due to high taxes, as well as, for better housing and employment opportunities.
This year is breaking the cycle, for the first time in 11 years the U.S. Census Bureau has estimated population growth for the state. Data itself shows that after 9 consecutive years the state saw population increases in both 2023 and 2024.
For a full breakdown on Illinois population growth over the last year, visit illinoispolicy.org