The mass exodus from Cook County has shown signs of slowing down, but the numbers continue to confirm a trend of population decline. The latest reports from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that the county, home to Chicago, bid farewell to nearly 24,000 residents in 2023. According to data released on Thursday, pointed out by the Chicago Sun-Times, this drop brings the county's population down to about 5 million, despite its standing as the second-most populous county in the nation.
The dip in population, however, wasn't as steep as in previous years, notably the nearly 95,000 residents Cook County saw leave in 2022. Across the country, a different picture was painted, with more counties experiencing population gains than losses, a shift since the hit of the pandemic in 2020. Yet in Cook County, over 58,000 residents picked up stakes and moved to other U.S. destinations last year alone, a number only surpassed by Los Angeles County, according to Pantagraph.
While the nation saw a pattern of growth, particularly in the South with counties like Harris County in Texas leading the charge, Cook County's loss was partially offset by a net international migration of 23,790 people last year, as shown by census data. This international influx served to somewhat cushion the effect of domestic outflow.
Exploring the reasons behind the migration trends, Linda Waite, the director of the Population Research Center at the University of Chicago, told the Chicago Sun-Times that remote work and housing costs continue to be among the main drivers for people moving out. With some semblance of normalcy returning post-pandemic, the alignment between the availability of jobs and the affordability of housing remains to be a key influencer in this population shift. Yet, Waite remains optimistic, believing "The city still is and should be a draw to young adults" particularly for those freshly graduated and seeking vibrant urban experiences coupled with employment opportunities.
Despite these departures, the Chicago metropolitan area—though also on a slight decline—is considered vibrant and growing in many respects, with census estimates not necessarily capturing the full scope of population dynamics. The state of Illinois, in particular, announced corrections to its census count in January, where an undercount missed 46,400 residents, a change that will reflect in future surveys and could potentially portray a more stabilized population figure for the region as stated by Pantagraph.
