CHICAGO'S POPULATION UP IN 2000 CENSUS
ALL 6 COUNTIES SHOW MAJOR INCREASE

After 4 decades of decline, Chicago's population is growing again, according to 2000 Census figures released on Wednesday. At the same time, the greatest growth in northeastern Illinois is in outer ring communities like Naperville, Aurora, and Joliet. All 6 counties of the region grew substantially.

Census figures overall make it clear that the Chicago metropolitan area is becoming more populous, more geographically dispersed, and more racially and ethnically diverse. As a result, according to Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) President Herbert T. Schumann, it is more important than ever to address issues relating to growth ­ jobs/housing balance, transportation, protection of the environment, and economic development ­ from a regional perspective.

"The changes we're seeing in these figures underscore that NIPC is on the right track in bringing leaders and citizens from throughout the region together to create a shared vision for the future," says Schumann. "The more we grow, the more stress there is on our shared resources and the greater the need to work together as a region to assure the prosperity and high quality of life throughout all of northeastern Illinois."

According to the latest census figures, the total population of northeastern Illinois is up 11.4% from 1990, to 8,091,720 from 7,261,176. The City of Chicago, with the most new residents of any municipality in Illinois, is up 4%, to 2,896,016. These 2000 figures support NIPC's forecast that by 2020, the region will have more than 9 million residents.

Within outer ring communities, the following had the highest growth rates:

• Naperville ­ 50%
• Aurora ­ 44%
• Joliet ­ 38%
• Waukegan ­ 27%
• Elgin ­ 23%

The population rate increases for the 6 counties are:

• McHenry - 41.9%
• Will - 40.6%
• Kane - 27.3%
• Lake - 24.8%
• DuPage - 15.7%
• Cook - 5.3%

As for diversity of the region's population, census figures also support NIPC's forecasts that by the year 2020, Hispanics and African-Americans will make up half the population of northeastern Illinois. Following what appears to be a national trend, the fastest growing individual group in the region is Hispanics, who now account for 17.4% of the population. Their numbers are up 68% for the region as a whole, with all 6 counties showing an increase. Their county-by-county increases from 1990 are:

• McHenry ­ 223%
• Lake ­ 140%
• DuPage ­ 135%
• Kane ­ 120%
• Will ­ 119%
• Cook ­ 54%

For census profiles of individual municipalities in northeastern Illinois and other census updates as they are released, please go to NIPC's Census 2000 web page at www.nipc.org/census_2000_gate.htm.

The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission was created by the Illinois Legislature to undertake comprehensive planning for the six-county metropolitan area. NIPC also provides technical and research assistance and reviews state and federal grant requests for local governments.

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