Someone Moves Out Of Illinois Every 4 Minutes, 18 Seconds

The U.S. Census Bureau released some population estimates a couple of weeks back that show Illinois is continuing to lose population at a record-setting rate.

How record-setting? According to the Census, between July of 2020 and July of 2021, Illinois lost more residents to other states than at any time in recorded history.

Nearly 125,000 Illinoisans Went Looking For A New State To Live In

Illinois isn't alone in losing people to other states, it's just that we're losing so many more than any of our Midwestern neighbors. Illinois' loss of 122,460 residents dwarfs Minnesota's loss of 13,453, and Michigan's 7,893.

Wisconsin gained around 3300 people, Iowa added 833, but Missouri (14,861), Indiana (14,280), and Kentucky (10,022) are the Midwestern states that added some pretty big numbers.

When Asked Why They're Leaving, Most Illinoisans Had A One-Word Answer

I'm guessing that you probably just said that one-word answer out loud. If you said:

Congratulations...I guess.

IllinoisPolicy.org:

Net outmigration has now hit all-time highs, with Illinois losing a resident every 4 minutes and 18 seconds to other states. During the course of an entire year, that’s the equivalent of losing more people than live in Springfield. Historically speaking, the major reasons Illinoisans are choosing to leave the state are for better housing and employment opportunities, both of which have been made worse by poor public policy in Illinois.

That 122,460 figure is also more than the total population of Elgin (114,797), or Peoria (113,150). It's also like losing 85 percent of Rockford's population of 144,213 every year.