The population of the USA fluctuated a lot in 2020 because of the scourge of COVID-19. If the numbers seem wrong, they probably are.
By Rick Pearson
Illinois’ population dropped (click here) by more than 18,000 people over the last decade and the state will see its U.S. House representation drop from 18 members to 17 next year, according to figures from the 2020 U.S. census released Monday.
The Census Bureau said Illinois’ 2020 resident population was 12,812,508, a decline of 0.14% from the 12,830,632 people reported as residents in the 2010 census. Illinois was was one of three states to lose population over the decade, census officials said.
It was the first-ever decade-over-decade drop in Illinois’ population count since it was admitted as the 21st state in the union in 1818, based on historic census data. It had a census population of 55,211 in 1820.
The state’s decline in congressional representation has been gradual over the past 80 years, but accelerated following the 1970 federal census, when the state had 24 House members....
As of today Illinois lost 190 persons per 100,000 to COVID-19. Add that to normal loss of life including natural deaths and the 2020 Census should line up. If not, then there is something wrong with the numbers. This is not rocket science.
The article below is from Brookings.
By William H. Frey
To the left COVID-19 deaths by state (click here) as of April 26, 2021
...Recently released Census Bureau (click here) population estimates show that from July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2020, the nation grew by just 0.35%. This is the lowest annual growth rate since at least 1900.
National population growth began to dip after 2000, especially after the Great Recession and, in recent years, due to new immigration restrictions. Yet the 2019-to-2020 rate is well below most growth rates over the past 102 years, and less than half the level observed as recently as 2000.
Part of this sharp decline can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought more deaths and further immigration restrictions. Still, the entire 2010s decade was one of fewer births, more deaths, and uneven immigration. Low natural increase levels (a result of the aging of the population) will likely continue regardless of federal policy, suggesting that only increased immigration can become a driver of U.S. growth....
