U.S. Department of Commerce

State Facts for Students

Illinois Flag Illinois

Population
  2000 2010
Population 12,419,293 12,830,632
State Rank 5 5
Median Age 34.7 36.6
Total 8 year-olds 186,794 171,594
Boys 95,423 87,660
Girls 91,371 83,934
Total 9 year-olds 189,972 174,883
Boys 97,312 88,889
Girls 92,660 85,994
Total 10 year-olds 189,324 175,927
Boys 96,513 89,700
Girls 92,811 86,227
Total 11 year-olds 182,411 174,022
Boys 93,352 88,850
Girls 89,059 85,172
Total 12 year-olds 179,984 174,671
Boys 92,391 89,449
Girls 87,593 85,222
 
How People Get to Work:
Drive Alone 73% 74%
Car Pool 11% 9%
Public Transportation 9% 8%

Geography
Capital Springfield
Largest City Chicago
Second Largest City Aurora

Business
  2000 2009
Dentist Offices 5,465 5,869
Amusement Parks 17 15
FastFood Restaurants 9,307 11,075
Toy Stores 472 336
Video/Disc Rental Stores 942 590
Zoos & Botanical Gardens 13 14
Candy & Nut Stores 310 233
Pet & Pet Supply Stores 325 352
Ice Cream & Frozen Dessert Makers 17 21

Note: As is the case with all surveys, statistics from sample surveys are subject to sampling and nonsampling error.

A value of NA indicates that data are not available for the indicated time period, or is not applicable for the current region.

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History

  • Date of Statehood: December 3, 1818
  • Population 1820: 55,211
  • Population 1850: 851,470
  • Population 1900: 4,821,550
  • Population 1950: 8,712,176

I never knew that! *

  • Nickname: Prairie State
  • Slogan: Land of Lincoln
  • Flower: Purple Violet
  • Tree: White Oak
  • Bird: Cardinal
  • Mammal: White-tailed deer
  • Snack: Popcorn
  • Fossil: Tully-Monster

Teachers: Download the Picture Your State lesson plan. [pdf]

Who told you this stuff?

The U.S. Census Bureau takes a census of the population every 10 years, and censuses of economic activity and governments every five years. And every year, the Census Bureau conducts more than 100 other surveys. Data on this page come from the 2010 Census, the American Community Survey, and County Business Patterns.

How are these data collected?

The U.S. Census Bureau sends questionnaires in the mail or contacts businesses and households to participate in its surveys.

* State symbol information was obtained from various non-Census Bureau resources including state web sites, educational web sites, and commercial entities.