New Census Estimates

The latest annual census estimates are out and for the first time this decade, Chicago is estimated to have gained population, a fairly modest 0.3% or 8,000 individuals. Of course, the actual hard count will have to wait for two more years. The last census count of 2000 showed an increase in Chicago's population contrary to prior estimates of population decrease.

After seeing all the high rises being constructed in Chicago its hard to believe that Chicago has lost an estimated 60,000 residents since 2000, but apparently a lot of the non high-rise neighborhoods are losing population to the burbs. Poor and moderate income families are being pushed out and replaced by yuppies (who have fewer children). Demographic geek that I am, I'm looking forward to 2010 (or actually 2011) to see the census results. I'll be very curious to see if high fuel prices and renewed interest in urban living result in real population shifts or not.