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northeastern illinois planning commission |
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northeastern illinois planning commission |
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Newly released Census 2000 results confirm that between 1990 and 2000, the population of the six county northeastern Illinois region grew by 830,544 or 11.4%. During the same time span, the number of housing units rose 267,087 - an increase of 9.5%. This rate of growth in the housing stock was slightly less than the population growth rate due to a tiny increase in average household size as well as a reduced housing vacancy rate. This reversed what occurred in the 1980-1990 period, when a 6.0% gain in housing units exceeded the smallish 2.2% increase in population. The rates and amounts of growth in the housing stock fell in both suburban Cook County and DuPage County compared to the previous decade. Substantial increases in the rates and amounts of housing growth took place in Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties with Will County showing the fastest increase at nearly 43%. The housing growth rates for all six counties from 1990 to 2000 were as follows:
During the 1980s, Chicago and 55 suburbs lost households (occupied housing units). In the 1990s, only 26 communities - all suburbs - lost households. While all the communities losing households are relatively “near-in” suburbs, the pattern is not as pronounced as it was in the 1980s. Meanwhile, the outward expansion of housing development in the region continued, coupled with renewed growth in the number of Chicago households. During the last decade the leading communities in terms of household growth were, in order:
Another important change locally was the aging of the population. While median age could not be calculated for the region as a whole from the available information, the median age for major sub-regions ranged from a low of 31.5 years in Chicago to a high of 35.2 years in DuPage County. Increases in this figure ranged from only 0.2 years for Chicago (tempered by the ages of newly-arrived immigrants) to 2.9 years in DuPage County. Within municipalities, the highest median ages tended to be in suburban Cook communities, in southern Lake County and in eastern DuPage County. The places with the youngest population (and often the highest proportions of Hispanic population) included Waukegan, North Chicago, West Chicago, Cicero, Harvard, Aurora, Romeoville, Riverdale, Harvey and University Park. A 41% hike in the region’s population aged 45 to 54 showcased the aging of the baby boom generation here. Other age group showing substantial gains were 5-19 (16.9%), 35-44 (19.0%), 55-59 (20.8%), 75-84 (18.4%) and those 85 and older (36.1%). During the decade, the 65 and over population increased by only 5.9%, substantially below its rate from 1970-1990. This was the result of fewer people, principally those 65-74, having been born during the depression years. During the 1970 to 1990 span, average household size (the average number of persons living in an occupied housing unit) in northeastern Illinois fell 13.4%, from 3.14 to 2.72. This time around, average household size was virtually unchanged at 2.73. In the 1990s, senior growth slowed and baby boom families became fully formed. These factors together with the dramatic increase in the number of Hispanics (a group living in larger households) were behind the stabilization of household size in the 1990s. Census 2000 results did not show substantial shifts in the types of households formed in northeastern Illinois. In 1990, families comprised 69.3% of households and married couples accounted for 51.9%. The corresponding percentages for Census 2000 were 67.7% and 50.0%, respectively. The largest increases in households were for those containing only one resident (representing 34% of the total increase in households in the region) and for married couples with children (accounting for 26% of the total increase in households). The newly released Census data also demonstrate the tightening of the area’s rental housing market. Owner-occupied units comprised 97.5% of the total increase in occupied housing units. Regionwide, renter-occupied units went up only 7,084, or a puny 0.7%. The number of renter-occupied units declined in Chicago, suburban Cook County and Kane County. During the decade renter-occupied units as a share of total occupied units in northeastern Illinois fell from 39.1% to 35.5%. Other highlights:
This regional snapshot, entitled Data Bulletin 2-2001: Summary of the Census 2000 General Demographic Profiles, is derived from the nearly 400 one-page profiles for northeastern Illinois counties, townships, and municipalities issued today by the U.S. Census Bureau. The data bulletin costs $15.00 and contains tables and thematic maps summarizing nearly 100 data items from Census 2000 for all counties, townships, and municipalities in our region. Most are accompanied by other tables and maps that compare the results to the 1990 and other previous censuses. The narration that fronts the document ties the regional trends and changes altogether. In addition, a general demographic profile for each county, township, and municipality in northeastern Illinois with the latest 2000 Census results is found on the NIPC website at http://www.nipc.org/forecasting/GDP4-counties/gdp_profiles_1.htm. NIPC will be mailing each county and municipal government its respective profile, along with the regional data bulletin that summarizes the results. The profiles may also be accessed via the Census Bureau’s online data dissemination tool, American FactFinder at http://factfinder.census.gov. Further information on the subjects covered in Data Bulletin 2-2001 and the companion demographic profiles may be obtained by calling Marc Thomas at 312-454-0400, x607 or by emailing tomasso@nipc.org. For information about ordering Census 2000 data products, contact NIPC’s publications center at 312-454-0400, x210. Prepared by the
Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission |
Posted 05/18/01
