Illinois Population Decline Forecast to Accelerate Through 2033

Illinois’ population decline is forecast to accelerate over the next several years, with the State losing an additional 600,000 residents (450,000 of whom are considered prime working age) by 2033.  The population of Illinois residents under the age of 20 decreased by 6.8% between 2020 and 2025.

In 2024, 83,000 Illinois residents left the state, most of whom moved to lower-tax states. Of the 83,000 Illinois expats. 11,000 relocated to Florida and 37,000 relocated to neighboring states.

Over the last 8 years, the State of Illinois suffered a net loss of 168,000 residents, or over 1% of its population.  However, the rest of the Midwest region has seen a net population increase of 2.1% over the last 8 years.   Illinois ranks third-to-last in population growth out of all states.

In a recent poll by M3 Strategies, “51% of respondents said they would leave Illinois if they had the opportunity. About 39% would stay — lowest since the beginning of 2025 — and about 10% were unsure. Among the half who would leave, almost 69% cited taxes as a top one or two issue[s] facing Illinois.”

Our latest article examines Illinois’ population decline and its underlying cause.

Should you have any questions, please contact the qualified attorneys at Rock Fusco & Connelly, LLC.