Often times you'll hear someone say "if you don't like (insert Rockford/surrounding town) you should move." Well, it's happening. People are moving out of Winnebago County. Over a thousand people left between 2016 and 2017.

According to US Census Bureau, Winnebago County's population dropped 1,095 people. It's no secret people are leaving Illinois, but the amount is shocking. Eyewitness News reports over the last seven years over 10,000 residents have left the county since 2010. In that same amount of time, only 19 counties (out of 102) didn't see a population loss. If trends like this continue, thousands of more residents could be leaving Winnebago County.

For those of you still living in Winnebago County, what's keeping you here? Family? Your job? Friends? Maybe you actually enjoy the Rock River Valley? Some do, and I'm one of them.


Catch JB Love on ‘Q98.5 Mornings with Lil Zim & JB on Q98.5 from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook.

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