Politics & Government
What the 2010 Census Tells Us
Jump in Hispanic population saves Illinois from population loss.
The tallies are in and Illinois, like the U.S., is growing, getting older and considerably more diverse, according to the decennial census.
From 2000 to 2010, Illinois’ Hispanic population grew at a rate five times faster than the state’s total population. Without this growth Illinois’ overall population would have decreased by a little more than 100,000 residents.
Ballooning by 15.8 percent or nearly half a million people over the last decade, Illinois’ Hispanic population climbed just over 2 million residents, expanding their presence in communities across the state.
Find out what's happening in Western Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In fact, Kendall County is one of five counties in the U.S. that saw the largest increase, more than tripling their Hispanic population since 2000. National statistics show Hispanic population growth accounting for more than half the country’s total population increase, expanding four times faster than the U.S. population as a whole. While local population numbers remain relatively small, Hispanic growth over the last 10 years is impressive.
Find out what's happening in Western Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
2010 Hispanic Population
*Township Figures
Number of New Residents
Growth Rate as Percentage
Illinois
2,027,578
497,316
15.8
Geneva
1,329
626
89
Batavia
3,170
1,344
74
St. Charles*
4,623
2,160
114
Downers Grove*
9,952
4,019
68
Lisle*
8,895
2,790
46
Hinsdale
592
178
43
Clarendon Hills
426
246
136
Wheaton
2,617
594
29
Glen Ellyn
1,801
526
41
Elmhurst
2,898
1,181
69
Burr Ridge
430
126
41
Western Springs
362
149
70
La Grange
998
426
74
Growing and Getting Older
At a glance, the United States grew by 9.7 percent from 2000 to reach a total population of approximately 308.7 million people as of April. The average age of our population gained about 2 years, rising from 35.3 years in 2000 to 37 in 2010. By comparison, Illinois’ growth was much slower than the country as whole, only widening by 3.3 percent over the last decade. As of this April, Illinois’ official population was about 12.8 million residents. Similarly to the nation, the median age of Illinois residents went up from 34.7 in 2000 to 36.6 in 2010.
Illinois’ slower growth is exhibited in population losses for a majority of counties across the state, but Will, Kane, Kendall, Grundy and Boone counties expanded their populations by 25 percent or better; and McHenry, DuPage, Lake, Kankakee and DeKalb counties experienced growth as well, albeit at a more moderate pace. Here is the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 interactive map. You can click on any state to view more detailed demographic and population information.
2010 Population
2000 Population
Growth rate as %
Median Age
Cook
5,194,675
5,376,741
-3
35.3
DuPage
916,924
904.161
1
38.2
Kane
515,269
404,119
28
34.5
Of the 13 communities where Patch analyzed census results from 2000 and 2010, five saw a population decrease over that time period, with the rest seeing mostly nominal upticks. St. Charles Township experienced the largest influx of new residents, seeing its population swell by 21 percent. All communities saw an increase in the median age, thus getting older.
2010 Population
*Township
2000 Population
*Township
Growth Rate as Percentage
Median Age
Illinois
12,830,632
12,419,293
3
36.6
Geneva
26,552
23,268
14
41.7
Batavia
35,221
30,137
17
38.6
St. Charles*
50,854
42,051
21
39.5
Downers Grove*
146,795
148,110
-.08
42
Lisle*
116,268
117,604
-1
38.9
Hinsdale
16,816
17,349
-3
41.4
Clarendon Hills
8,427
7,610
11
39.6
Wheaton
52,894
55,416
-5
38.4
Glen Ellyn
27,450
26,999
2
40.3
Elmhurst
44,121
42,762
3
40.1
Burr Ridge
10,559
10,408
1
50
Western Springs
12,975
12,493
4
42.2
La Grange
15,550
15,608
-.03
40.4
Chicago’s Declining Population Means Political Consequences for Suburbs
Despite Illinois’ growth from 2000 to 2010, it did not keep pace with other states and, as a result, will lose one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives during the next election. Sent to Gov. Pat Quinn for his signature Tuesday, the new map was approved by the Senate and House along party lines. Chicago’s population loss of more than 200,000 people and Democrats' aim to win back seats in 2012 were the driving forces behind the new district boundaries, which must be drawn to ensure populations remain consistent. While politically motivated, Chicago’s massive population dip forces traditionally urban districts to stretch into the suburbs. Republicans criticized the process, which is always bitterly partisan, and said the map could be challenged in federal court.