2010 Census | Chicago's population declines

Believe it or not, there are fewer people in Chicago than there were in 2000. Chicago's population decreased by 6.9 percent since the 2000 Census. 

But there are more in the center of the city. Chicago's population increased dramatically downtown but slipped in the Southwest, West and Northwest Sides and just west of Lincoln Park.

Most big cities gained population. Nine of the 10 most populous cities in 2010 gained population over the last decade. Chicago, which grew between 1990 and 2000, was the only one of these ten cities to decline in population in the 2010 Census decade.

As did metro areas All 10 of the most populous metro areas in 2010 grew over the last decade. Roughly, one out of 10 people in the United States lived in either Los Angeles or New York metro areas.

Aurora is gaining on us. The five most populous incorporated places in Illinois are Chicago, 2,695,598; Aurora, 197,899; Rockford, 152,871; Joliet, 147,433; and Naperville, 141,853. Aurora grew by 38.4 percent, Rockford grew by 1.8 percent, Joliet grew by 38.8 percent, and Naperville grew by 10.5 percent.

Cook County also lost population. Its population decreased by 3.4 percent since 2000, down to 5.194 million from 5.376 in 2000.

Though its population grew slightly, Illinois lost a congressional seat in apportionment. We went from 19 to 18. Whatever, man, Illinois ranks 14th for states in population density. Beat that, Colorado!

Illinois, like the U.S., saw an increase in Hispanic/Latino population. The Hispanic/Latino population of Illinois increased 32.5% from 2000 to 2010. But Chicago saw only a 3.3% increase in Hispanic/Lation population, bringing it to 28.9% of the city's total population.

We're still number three on the big city list. The six most populous cities held ranks from 2000. Fourth-ranked Houston jumped above 2 million people. San Antonio moved ahead of San Diego and Dallas. Detroit dropped out of the top 10 and was replaced by San Jose, California. Michigan was one of few American states that lost population.

The U.S. population grew... The U.S. population increased by 9.7 percent since 2000, to reach 308.7 million, but at a rate slower than previous decades. Since 1900, only the '30s experienced lower growth than the 2000s, which kept pace with the '80s (9.8 percent).

...especially in the South and West. Nevada bulked up 35.1 percent, followed by Arizona, Utah, Idaho and Texas. Nevada has maintained a growth rate of 25 percent or greater for three decades running.

The New York Times has a great interactive map that charts population growth and decline and drills down to the Census blocks in Chicago—one can also look at the density of vacant or occupied housing across America.