Chicago appears to have profitted from the economic slowdown, at least in human capital.
New U.S. Census statistics reveal the city added 21, 242 residents between July 2008 and July 2009, an increase of .75 percent. That brings Chicago's total population to more than 2.8 million people.
Analysts credit the recession for the jump. They say more people are staying put due, in part, to the potential loss that exists trying to sell a home, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Opportunity elsewhere is not as evident as it once was,” said Kenneth Johnson, senior demographer at the University of New Hampshire's Carsey Institute tells the Sun-Times.
Immigration and births also contributed to Chicago’s growth.
Far North Suburban Volo recorded the biggest population change in the Chicago metro area. It added 265 residents, a 34.02 percent increase.
