Illinois is now officially the 6th largest U.S. state, dropping down one spot from last year.

U.S. Census Data show that the state’s population shrank by more than 33,000 people. That puts us behind Pennsylvania for total headcount. The Keystone State gained just enough residents to pass Illinois by a few thousand people

 

Census officials say the decline in Illinois is not just shrinking but shrinking faster than all other states.