People constantly come and go, but new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show that Illinois lost more than 263,000 residents, or 2.1% of its population, from 2020 to 2023.
Chicago lost 81,900 people, or 3% of its population, during the same time frame. The city’s population as of July 1, 2023, was estimated at 2,664,452, with changes calculated from the estimated base of April 1, 2020.
Despite the decline, Chicago retained its position as the nation’s third most populous city, after New York and Los Angeles, in 2023. Houston was ranked fourth.
Suburban Cook County biggest area population loser in recent years, census estimates show
Cook County as a whole lost 188,000 people, or 3.6%, to slightly more than 5 million, with most of those coming from outside the city. Meanwhile collar counties including Grundy, McHenry and Will counties gained residents. Kendall County saw the largest increase in the state — more than 8,100 people have moved there since 2020, which is a 6.1% increase in population.
How did things change in your area? Here’s a look at 2023 population estimates for cities, towns and villages in Cook County and other Chicago-area counties.
Sources: U.S. Census; Tribune reporting
![The box truck was parked beside a quiet sidewalk in the West Loop. A few people stopped, glancing curiously at the image flashing on its trailer: a young man, his expression resolute but tinged with sadness. Below his figure was a message in bold letters: “Chicagoan kidnapped by Hamas.” “He’s always up there,” said the truck’s driver, Jeremiah Smith, 27, as he stared at the image. “I always know that.” Twelve hours a day, six days a week, Smith drives the truck through the Chicago area, raising awareness for the scores of Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas. But the […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CTC-L-truck-driver-17_194009220.jpg?w=525 "The box truck was parked beside a quiet sidewalk in the West Loop. A few people stopped, glancing curiously at the image flashing on its trailer: a young man, his expression resolute but tinged with sadness. Below his figure was a message in bold letters: “Chicagoan kidnapped by Hamas.” “He’s always up there,” said the truck’s driver, Jeremiah Smith, 27, as he stared at the image. “I always know that.” Twelve hours a day, six days a week, Smith drives the truck through the Chicago area, raising awareness for the scores of Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas. But the […]")