Some Illinois Counties Buck Trend of Population Loss

In Illinois the story of population loss is one that goes back over a decade. Former Illinois residents have moved out of state to Indiana, Florida, Wisconsin and Texas. But what of the people who have decided to move but stay in state?

These states have welcomed the majority of "former" Illinois residents

Is there a difference county to county in Illinois? People tend to vote with their hard-earned dollars in the marketplace, but also with their feet. Meaning people moving from an area to another is many times an endorsement of how things are run in the new place as opposed to the locale they are leaving behind.

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Believe it or not there are counties in Illinois that have seen population bumps.

Will County in northeast Illinois saw a 1.68% increase in population. That may not seem like a lot, but any population increase in Illinois merits mention.

Will County Courthouse in Joliet

McHenry County is between Rockford and Chicago and stretches to the Wisconsin border took in 1.93% increase of people. Just under 6000 new residents.

McHenry County Courthouse in Woodstock

Grundy County is southwest of Will County and is still considered part of the Chicago metro even though most of the county is south of I-80. There was a 2.47% increase in population last year that equaled 1300 new residents.

Grundy County Courthouse in Morris

Champaign County - Home of the University of Illinois increased population last year to the tune of 2.97% -or- a little over 6000 new residents. They can’t all be an increase to the student body, can they?

Champaign County Courthouse in Urbana

Kendall County is west of Will County saw the biggest increase percentage wise in the state at 8.18% -or- a little under 11,000 new residents.

Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville

These could very well be people fleeing Cook County, or people that are drawn to Chicago to work are choosing to live further away from the middle of it all. 15 Counties in Illinois gained people last year. In addition to the above also up were: Monroe, Brown, Clinton, Kane, Dekalb, DuPage, Lake, Putnam, McLean and Douglas all saw plus people move in.