Census estimates: Naperville now Illinois' fourth-largest city
Naperville has overtaken Rockford in population and now ranks as the state's fourth-largest city.
"We know Rockford has been losing population and Naperville has been growing," Mayor Steve Chirico said Thursday. "It's not surprising."
In fact, the Northern Illinois University Center for Government Studies predicted three years ago that Naperville's population could eclipse Rockford's as early as 2016.
That prediction proved true, according to new population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. As of July 1, 2017, Naperville's population was estimated at 147,682 - 631 more than Rockford's new estimate of 147,051.
Rather than brag about the ranking, Naperville officials turned their thoughts to money - and to the taxes the state shares on a per-resident basis.
Even before the new population totals came out, Naperville began pursuing a special census, becoming the only community in Illinois to request a fresh count this year.
The city estimates its population of 141,853 as of the 2010 census could increase by about 4,650 in the special count, bringing the total to 146,503.
The special census, conducted between February and April, counted residents in 58 census blocks where new housing recently has been developed - not within the entire city. Results are expected to be released this summer.
But if the 2017 population estimate is any indication, Chirico said the city's population growth could be higher than anticipated.
Results of the special census will be used to determine Naperville's share of the state income tax, use tax and motor fuel tax for 2019, 2020 and 2021, until new figures from the 2020 decennial census are certified.
"We'll get three years of benefit," Chirico said.
For now, the city gets the benefit in stature of being the fourth-largest municipality behind Chicago at 2,716,450 residents, Aurora at 200,965, and Joliet with 148,462, according to the new 2017 estimates.
While estimates show Naperville has added 5,829 people since 2010, Rockford has lost 5,820 to drop from 152,871 in the 2010 census to 147,051 in the 2017 estimate.
Naperville now could approach Joliet's population, which is estimated at 148,462. But Chirico cautions geography may prevent his city from gaining roughly 780 more new residents and ascending to be the state's third-largest.
"What's happened in the last almost two decades is Naperville has basically reached its borders. Our growth is much more limited at this point," Chirico said. "Joliet has almost endless property going west."