Despite recent headlines about population growth, Illinois continues to see a significant outflow of residents to other states. While international migration has temporarily offset these losses, domestic migration patterns show that more people are leaving Illinois than moving in.
This article examines the latest data and explores the reasons behind this ongoing trend, its implications, and what the future may hold for the state.
Ongoing Domestic Outmigration
Illinois consistently ranks among the top states for domestic outmigration. In 2024, the state lost 56,235 residents to other states, a figure surpassed only by California and New York. Over the past decade, Illinois has experienced a net loss of approximately 460,000 residents to other states, reflecting a long-standing trend that has persisted for nearly a century.
The most recent moving statistics reveal that in 2023, 297,005 people moved out of Illinois, while only 203,758 moved in, resulting in a net loss of 93,247 residents. This pattern of more people leaving than arriving continues to shape the state’s demographic landscape.
Population Growth Driven by International Migration
Despite these domestic losses, Illinois saw a population increase of nearly 68,000 residents from July 2023 to June 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
This growth was almost entirely due to international migration, with 112,955 new residents arriving from other countries during that period. Without this influx, the state’s population would have continued its downward trajectory.
Current Population and Trends
As of 2025, Illinois’ population stands at approximately 12.71 million (2024), marking a slight decline of 0.26% from 2023. The state’s population has been gradually decreasing over the past decade, with only sporadic years of growth.
Between 2010 and 2022, Illinois experienced population increases in just four out of twelve years, and the largest recent decline was 0.85% between 2021 and 2022.
Why Are People Leaving Illinois?
Surveys indicate that the main reasons for leaving Illinois are better housing and employment opportunities elsewhere. High taxes and public policy challenges have exacerbated these issues, making it harder for the state to retain residents.
The outflow is particularly pronounced among more educated and higher-paid urban residents, further impacting the state’s economic prospects.
Policy and Economic Implications
The persistent loss of residents has several consequences:
Economic Impact: A shrinking workforce can slow economic growth and deter business investment.
Government Funding: Population declines reduce state and federal funding allocations, potentially tightening budgets for public services.
Political Representation: Fewer residents may lead to a loss of congressional seats, diminishing Illinois’ influence in Washington.
To address these challenges, experts suggest reforms such as improving tax policies, investing in infrastructure, and developing affordable housing to make Illinois more attractive for both current and prospective residents.
Conclusion
While Illinois has recently reported population growth, this is largely due to an influx of international migrants rather than a reversal of domestic outmigration.
The state remains one of the top places people are leaving, with tens of thousands moving out each year in search of better opportunities. Without substantial policy changes to address the root causes of outmigration, Illinois is likely to continue facing population challenges in the years ahead.
Source:
[1] https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/publications/idph/data-and-statistics/vital-statistics/illinois-population-data/population-projections_202035.pdf
[2] https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/files/publications/population-projections-report-2010-2030.pdf
[3] https://www.illinoispolicy.org/press-releases/illinois-reports-population-growth-buoyed-by-112k-international-migrants/
[4] https://nchstats.com/illinois-population/
[5] https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-ranks-48th-for-people-moving-out-loses-over-56k-residents/
[6] https://www.consumeraffairs.com/movers/moving-to-illinois.html
[7] https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2025/04/state-newcomers.html
[8] https://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/state-profiles/state/demographics/il
[9] http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/rural-economy-population/population-migration
[10] https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025/vintage-2024-popest.html