Chicago recorded the seventh-largest population gain among U.S. cities from mid-2023 to mid-2024, adding over 22,000 residents, marking a second consecutive year of growth after previous declines. The increase is largely attributed to migrant arrivals, many via buses from Texas, as well as voluntary relocation.
While city officials celebrated the growth as a sign of Chicago’s resilience, Rob Paral, Senior Researcher at the Great Cities Institute, provided a cautious perspective. He emphasized that large cities like Chicago depend on immigration for population renewal, warning that federal restrictions on immigration could reverse gains and weaken urban economies by reducing workforce and consumer bases.
Paral also contextualized broader regional trends, noting declines in inner and middle suburbs, contrasted with rapid growth in far-flung suburbs like Plainfield, Hampshire, and Elburn—areas drawing residents with affordable housing, good schools, and lower taxes.
From Chicago Tribune (To go to the actual article, please click on this link.)
