New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show Illinois continues to lose residents to other states at one of the highest rates in the nation. Between mid-2024 and mid-2025, more than 40,000 Illinois residents moved to other states, ranking Illinois third-worst nationally for domestic population loss, behind only California and New York.

While Illinois posted a modest overall population increase, Census data show that growth was driven almost entirely by international migration. Without that influx, Illinois would have continued to lose population, as the state saw only a small increase from births while thousands of residents chose to leave.

One common factor among the states attracting Illinoisans is lower taxes. Nearly 79,000 former Illinois residents—about 95% of those who left—moved to states with lower state and local tax burdens. Fewer than 5% (4,041 people) relocated to states with higher tax burdens.

These results reinforce what Illinoisans routinely tell pollsters: high taxes are the number one reason residents consider leaving the state. Illinois continues to rank among the highest in the nation for overall state and local tax burden.

State Senator Dave Syverson said the data confirm what families have been saying for years.

“This is just more proof that no state can tax its way into prosperity,” Syverson said. “Illinois can turn things around and grow our way into prosperity by cutting taxes and improving the job climate. The fix really is that simple.”