As reported widely across the state this week, the U.S. Census Bureau released information showing that Illinois gained population for the 3rd straight year. According to the numbers, Illinois is said to have gained 16,000 residents between July 1st, 2024 and July 1st of 2025. And, they said that was now an increase of over 100,000 since 2022.
But, some other numbers still show the out-migration issues for the state. In their 2025 Growth Index Report, moving truck company U-Haul shows Illinois’ growth rate as 49th among the states–ranking ahead of only California. It shows Illinois with an in-migration of 48.9% and out-migration of 51.1%. Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee ranked as the top 4 stats for growth rate.
Another major factor is even if there are modest population gains for the state, they are not keeping up with gains in the country and that can be seen by Illinois’ continued loss of electoral votes–which all but two of those are based on population. As recently as 1980, Illinois had 26 electoral votes. That was all the way down to 19 in the most recent Presidential election in 2024.
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