• Editor’s Note: This is the first of a series on population change in Kane County.

New U.S. Census Bureau estimates indicate that Kane County’s population overall is up by more than 11,000, third-highest in Illinois for the period of 2010 through 2014.

In March, CGS reported that census data showed Illinois had nearly 10,000 fewer residents in 2014 than in the previous year – the largest numerical decline of any state in the nation and the first statewide population dip since the mid-1980s.

Many cities in Illinois continue to grow, including Chicago, which added 25,070 people from 2010 to 2014. That amounts to modest growth of just under 1 percent.

Naperville added 3,828 residents, the second largest numerical increase of Illinois cities, followed by Champaign (3,314), Elgin (2,813), Oswego (2,565), Aurora (2,295) and Plainfield (2,188). If current trends continue, Joliet and Naperville, the fourth and fifth largest Illinois cities respectively, will surpass Rockford in population size within the next year or two, Taylor says.

Tom Parisi, NIU Media and Public Relations

SOURCE: NIU Center for Government Studies

Kane County Population Series

• Today: Kane County 3rd in Illinois Population Growth
• Tuesday: Elgin, Aurora, Pingree Grove, Huntley Among Fastest-Growing Communities in Illinois
• Wednesday: Where Is Kane’s Population Growth Coming From?
• Thursday: Where Are Illinois Residents Migrating?
• Friday: Illinois’ Population Decline; What Does It Mean?