(The Center Square) – For the first time in a decade, Illinois’ population increased in the year ending July 1, 2024, ending a decade of decline.
The Vintage 2024 numbers released Thursday morning by the U.S. Census shows the Land of Lincoln gaining 67,899 people over the year. But, data also shows in the past four years, the state lost 111,656 people.
Numbers released in December 2023, indicated the state lost 32,800 people in the year ending July 1, 2023. That was the 10th year the state had estimated annual population loss.
In 2013, Illinois’ annual population estimate showed an increase of 12,700. The following year began the decade of decline. In 2014, the state lost an estimated 10,700. In 2015, that more than doubled to 25,000 lost in one year. Another 37,900 were estimated lost in 2016.
The losing trend continued in 2017 with Illinois having 41,800 fewer people than the prior year. In 2018, there were 55,200 fewer people, 57,700 fewer in 2019, 79,500 fewer in 2020, 100,000 fewer in 2021 and more than 107,800 fewer in 2022.
Thursday’s numbers show Illinois’ population in 2020 was 12.79 million people. The following year, the state was 12.70 million people. In 2022, Illinois continued to shrink with 12.62 million people. But, Thursday’s Census update has the population increasing to 12.42 million in 2023 and up to 12.71 million for 2024.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Democratic leaders had requested a review of the data. Earlier this year, the Census agreed it missed or undercounted the 2020 Census for those living in group facilities. Undercounted or missed were 733 group quarters for a total of 46,400 people, including thousands living in places like senior living facilities and dormitory settings.
Total net international migration into Illinois was nearly 113,000 in the past year.
Over the past four year, 278,657 immigrated to Illinois.
This developing story will be updated.
