Chicago grew for a third straight year, but the growth is slowing down compared to previous years.
Chicago grew for the third year in a row.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Thursday show Chicago added about 5,300 residents between July 2024 and July 2025. That is still growth, but much less than the nearly 28,000 added the year before.
The city is now at 99% of its population in 2020.
The new estimate continues a major turnaround from the pandemic years, when Chicago lost population quickly — about 35,700 residents in 2021 and another 25,300 in 2022. That trend reversed in 2023, when Chicago began adding residents again.
International migration has helped boost Chicago’s population in the past few years. More immigrants moving into Chicago have helped offset the number of residents leaving Illinois.
Even with the recent gains, the state still struggles with domestic outmigration. Residents leave Illinois because of high taxes, housing costs, crime concerns and better job opportunities elsewhere.
The slowdown in 2025 could be an early sign that Chicago’s recovery is leveling off rather than accelerating.
City leaders will likely highlight another year of population growth as a positive sign after years of decline. But continued growth means making decisions that will attract more residents and businesses.
