PRESS RELEASE from the
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE

MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Wittel (312) 607-4977

Illinois’ Black and white populations declined, Asian and Hispanic populations increased over the past decade
Out-of-state employment is the No. 1 reason working-age Illinoisans left the state since 2010

CHICAGO (June 26, 2020) – While Illinois is losing residents of all races and ethnicities as they move to other states, Black and white communities are the only groups shrinking in the state. According to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday, the state’s white population declined by 5.3%, or 438,986 people, and its Black population declined by 1.7%, or 32,143, since 2010.

Illinois’ Asian and Hispanic populations experienced the only substantial growth since 2010, increasing by 23.6%, or 155,535 people, and 9.4%, or 194,671 people, respectively. Illinois Policy Institute analysis shows this is mainly due to higher birth rates and international migration.

Institute experts found the bulk of Illinois’ outmigrants are prime working-age residents who cited better job prospects in other states as the No. 1 reason for leaving. Both better jobs and housing outside of Illinois accounted for 70% of all moves to other states. About 4% left to attend an out-of-state college, and only about 2% fled from the cold weather.

Illinois has been losing prime working-age residents on net to nearly every state with top destinations being Texas, California, Indiana, Florida and Wisconsin. Illinois experienced the nation’s worst population decline over the decade, losing more than 850,000 residents to other states and shrinking for six consecutive years.

Illinois Policy Institute analysis highlights:

• Illinois’ white population has declined the most since 2010, driven almost entirely by domestic outmigration.
• The outmigration of the state’s Black population has actually led to a decline in the total number of Black Illinoisans.
• Although Illinois loses residents of all races and ethnicities on net to other states, Illinoisans most likely to leave the state on net are Asian, Black, Native American and Pacific Islander. Meanwhile, white and Hispanic Illinoisans are less likely to leave the state on net.
• Higher birth rates and international migration have led Asian and Hispanic communities to experience robust growth since 2010, despite domestic outmigration of these groups as well.
• While white Illinoisans make up the largest share – 60% – of prime working-age outmigrants, this is because more white people live in Illinois than any other group.
• Every income and age group reported by IRS migration data is experiencing net negative migration, with prime working-age and middle-income earners making up the bulk of the exodus. However, wealthy residents are fleeing at the fastest rates.

Orphe Divounguy, chief economist at the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute, offered the following statement: 

“Illinois lawmakers should look to the places where minority workers were fleeing to build a more inclusive, fair economy when the nation recovers from the COVID-19 induced mobility slowdown. Most of these destination states, from Texas to Florida, have no or low income taxes, low property taxes and well-funded pension systems. Instead, Illinois’ governor is pursuing a third income tax hike in 10 years in the middle of a pandemic.

“When the public health threat subsides, lawmakers should not come back asking taxpayers for more. Our state leaders need to pursue real reforms that would put the state on firm fiscal footing and give much-needed certainty and tax relief to families and businesses.”

To read more, visit: illin.is/movingout.

For bookings or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.