Posted by riverbender on May 25, 2019, 9:09 am, in reply to "Illinois"
Prepare to lose house seats Illinoisians
Madison County registers slight population loss in latest U.S. Census
EDWARDSVILLE — New United States Census Bureau estimates released Thursday show population in Madison County has declined in the past year in line with a statewide trend.
The 2018 estimate, 264,461, is also 1,010 fewer, or -0.38 percent, than the 2017 census estimate. The county lost 4,821 residents, or -1.82 percent, since the 2010 Census.
Of 102 Illinois counties, 86 showed decreases of varying degrees and this year also marked the first time that every metropolitan area in the state recorded declines.
Madison County’s drop may surprise some people, who would point to Edwardsville’s recent growth as a sign of more people not less. However, some of that growth, such as the new, off-campus college living areas, may be populated by some people who are not full-time county residents and other developments.
“While a declining population is not positive news, this is not a surprise. According to a Chicago Tribune article from December 2018, Illinois has lost residents for five consecutive years, and as a result, relinquished its position as the country’s fifth-largest state,” said Desiree Bennyhoff, president and CEO of the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce.
“When residents and businesses leave, they take their checkbooks with them,” she said. “The impact is a diminishing tax base, a decrease in employers and job creators and fewer people to purchase goods and services from our remaining businesses.”
Bennyhoff said the state has outstanding institutions, including SIUE in our region but data from the Illinois Board of Higher Education shows that high school students are increasingly choosing out-of-state post-secondary education.
The U.S. Department of Education’s enrollment data demonstrated that in 2016, Illinois experienced the second greatest net loss of residents to colleges in other states. What’s most alarming is that they are not going far, she adds, in fact, in 2016, the most popular destinations were in Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, and Ohio.
“While insulating itself from these demographic shifts is a challenge for Madison County [as it is for any county in the state], my hope is that we can unite as a region with a goal of becoming the most competitive county in Illinois,” she said.
She cites Illinois’ assets, particularly in the realm of strong rail/road/river access, as plentiful.
“A key ingredient for which we consistently advocate is an environment that is inviting and welcomes private-sector job creators,” she said. She said Illinois is home to an educated workforce, prosperous businesses and people who really love this state.
“It’s time we all come together and demand from our state the excellence that we as Madison County residents expect and deserve. With that will come reinvestment and growth.
“I am interested in what the 2020 U.S. Census will reveal,” Bennyhoff said. “A top concern is the prediction that Illinois will lose up to two Congressional seats as a result, which means a decrease in national representation for Illinois residents. Whether we lose that representation because people don’t respond to the census or because residents have moved out of the state, it’s a loss regardless.”
on May 25, 2019, 9:09 am, in reply to "