Illinois Population Increases for First Time in a Decade

Illinois' population increased by 67,899 residents between July 2023 and July 2024, marking the first growth in a decade after years of decline, primarily due to a significant influx of international migrants. This increase represents a growth rate of 0.53%, making it the largest numeric gain in the Midwest, although it is still down by about 112,000 residents since 2020. The surge in population has been attributed to over 112,000 new international migrants, many of whom were sent from Texas as part of Operation Lone Star, alongside a natural increase of approximately 11,000 births. In contrast, Illinois experienced a net outflow of 56,235 residents to other states, largely driven by high taxes. Nationally, the U.S. population grew by nearly 1%, the fastest rate since 2001, influenced mainly by international migration. Despite the growth, Illinois continues to face challenges with domestic migration trends, ranking 48th in population retention among states.