Joliet Now Third-Largest City in Illinois: City Manager

The City of Joliet has grown by nearly 2,000 residents since 2010, making it the third-largest city in the state, according to City Manager Jim Hock.

The growth – revealed by a 2016 special census requested and paid for by the city – will mean an anticipated $288,000 per year increase in tax revenue from the state, Hock said in a statement on Wednesday. The city paid roughly $100,000 for the survey.

“The majority of housing growth occurred on the far west side of Joliet near the Will-Kendall County line,” Hock said.

Previously, 2010 Census data ranked Joliet as the fourth-largest city in the state, behind Chicago, Aurora and Rockford. Since then, the city’s population has grown by 1,926 to 148,409 residents, according to the special census. Most of the growth has occurred on the city’s far west side near the Will-Kendall county line, Hock said.

“Based on estimated reductions in Rockford from the Census Bureau, this makes Joliet the third-largest city in Illinois,” he told the Herald-News, saying Rockford is estimated to have lost around 3 percent of its 2010 population of 152,871.

If the 2020 Census reveals the estimations to be true, Joliet would have about 125 more residents.

“The City of Joliet continues to grow due to our location, quality of life, availability of jobs and land,” Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk said. “Although things slowed down during the recession, Joliet has been on an upward trajectory over the past few years. We expect this to continue as we have had multiple inquiries pertaining to new projects.”

According to Hock, housing permits are up once again. In 2014, a total of 129 new housing permits were issued, compared with 228 in 2015 and 250 in 2016.

“Housing activity has a positive impact upon new retail prospects” Economic Development Director Steve Jones said in a press release. “Retail activity is driven by the number of rooftops. The special census results will be useful information for retailers who may be considering a location near our Route 59 commercial corridor.”