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ILLINOIS
LEADS U.S. FOR PEOPLE MOVING OUT: 8TH YEAR OF LOSS
Illinois Policy Institute
| Patrick Andriesen
Illinois reported the largest outmigration of residents of any state
during 2021, marking the 8th consecutive year of population decline in
Illinois. Chicago similarly saw more residents move away than any
metropolitan area in the nation.
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 Illinois saw the largest departure of state
residents in the nation during 2021, with 68% of Illinoisans who moved saying
goodbye and heading for more affordable locales, a new study found.
The annual migration report from Allied Van Lines and Zillow found this trend
was reflected in the state’s largest city, Chicago, which reported the most
outbound moves of any metropolitan area in the nation.
The 2021 report marks a record-setting 8th consecutive year of population
decline for Illinois.
Most residents leaving Illinois traveled to states with warmer climates where
housing prices were significantly cheaper. South Carolina, Tennessee and North
Carolina ranked highest for inbound moves nationally.
The report found most Chicagoans leaving the state were most likely to take up
residence in Phoenix, Los Angeles or Houston.
Census data shows Illinois’ population declined by 113,776 from July 1, 2020,
through July 1, 2021. No other Midwestern or neighboring state saw a population
decline of more than 17,000.
The major reasons Illinoisans have chosen to leave the state are for better
housing and employment opportunities, both of which have been made worse by poor
public policy in Illinois.
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Nearly half of Illinoisans have thought about moving away, citing high taxes as
their No. 1 reason. Population decline also contributes to the lower economic
prospects of the state, as working-age families leave and fewer residents are
left to shoulder increasing tax burdens.
The United Van Lines 2020 state migration report
showed the majority of those residents leaving were the Illinoisans in the
highest income brackets. The study also indicated the number of residents
leaving has gradually increased with time.
Census data confirms Illinois’ outmigration-driven population decline reached
record levels in 2021, meaning more Illinoisans than ever were voting with their
feet against policies raising costs on residents.
Boasting the nation’s highest tax rates, second-highest property taxes,
second-highest gas tax and nation-leading pension debt, it is little wonder why
Illinois also leads the nation is losing residents.
As bad as it is, if public unions get their way and voters Nov. 8 approve
Amendment 1, property taxes and other taxes will be farther out of control. The
change to the Illinois Constitution would protect union power and prevent it
from being diminished, meaning union demands for a wide range of subjects could
lead to strikes as state and local governments turn to taxpayers to try to
satisfy those demands.
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