Mar 14, 2025 - News
Chicago loses residents: Census shows 0.3% drop
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Chicago's metro population has fallen 0.3% since 2020, according to new census data.
Why it matters: City-dwellers exited many U.S. metros during the COVID-19 pandemic, but some are now clawing back residents (and their productivity, creativity, tax dollars, etc.).
By the numbers: The number of people living in U.S. metro areas rose by almost 3.2 million between 2023 and 2024, the Census Bureau said this week — a gain of about 1.1%.
Between the lines: Many cities can thank international migration for this latest population increase.
- The Chicago metro area saw net migration of about 50,000 with 96,000 international arrivals and about 45,000 residents leaving.