By: Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
Long-time readers of Wirepoints’ IRS out-migration work will know Illinois is a net loser of households in every single income and age bracket the IRS tracks. The latest 2022 tax year data is no exception, showing Illinois lost thousands of households in each of the 12 brackets.
Now a new cut of the data shows Illinois ranks near-last nationally in almost every one of the brackets, revealing just how repellent the state’s policies are for Illinoisans across the board.
Start with the big money earners. Illinois gained from other states 7,100 households earning $200,000 or more in tax year 2022, but it lost over 16,400 such households to other states. In other words, Illinois gained only 0.43 households for every one it lost – the worst in the country.
Contrast that with the nation’s biggest winner, Florida. Nearly 47,000 households earning more than $200,000 moved into Florida from other states, but it lost only 17,100. The net result was a gain of 2.74 wealthy households for each one that left.
Below we lay out the gains and losses for each state for the $200,000-plus income bracket.
It’s the same story for Illinois across all the income brackets – the state’s households-gained-to-households-lost ratio ranked between 46th and 50th nationally.
In the $25K to $50K bracket, for example, Illinois gained just 0.8 households for every one it lost, the 4th-worst ratio behind only New York, California and Louisiana (see appendix below).
And for households in the $100K to $200K bracket, Illinois gained just 0.56 households for every one it lost – the absolute worst in the nation.
Equally problematic is the bleed of Illinois households from every age group. Except for the under 26 and 26 to 35 brackets (both of which still lost households on net), Illinois’ households-gained-to-households-lost ratios were the nation’s 3rd-worst.
For households headed by individuals age 55 to 65, for example, Illinois gained just 0.47 households for every one it lost – again the 3rd-worst.
Illinois’ leaders continue to deny the state’s population woes – and that their failed policies are driving people of all types away. But the numbers show the losses are real, no matter how you cut them.
Appendix
Read more from Wirepoints:
- Illinois’ out-migration losses: Measuring the destructive impact on the state’s tax base
- The great exodus continues: Fresh IRS data shows Illinois loses residents to 40 other states
- IRS migration data: Big blue states biggest losers of people, wealth. Big red states biggest winners. – A Wirepoints 50-state survey
Audio and summary 
If this bill passes, say goodbye to local control over all Illinois parks and expect to see open drug and alcohol use, needles, no sanitation and fire hazards, but no ordinary park users.
Especially the young women. Fifteen or twenty years ago, Lincoln Park was nothing but young women. Now when I go to a bar in that area, there are none to be found.
Illinois is nice. I miss it sometimes…NOT!
illinois is too expensive for anyone who was not born wealthy. very glad i do not live there and i envy those of you who can afford to call IL your home
And the Illinois slaves say, “good riddance. Who needs them? Please raise taxes even further, just not mine. Vote democrat.” If you ever voted for a democrat in Illinois, please stay there and enjoy what you created.
Florida is growing with high income earners because of the great quality of life.
Many of the pensioners from all over the country are pouring into the state.
It is now the land of opportunity; the streets are paved in gold.
A young person can buy a house with what they save in state income tax.
Men can marry other men in Florida. You can keep it.
SG, you have some catching up to do. Gay marriage has been a protected right for nine years since the Supreme Court so ruled.
You say this as though it’s a good thing, Mark.
Yes, I say it’s a good thing.
The price of Freedom is not Free.
You are living in the past. If everyone is not free none of us are free.
There is a big downside. Home/auto and deductibles on insurance rates are sky high if you can get a policy. The monthly insurance cost can be higher than the mortgage in some cases.
Here in Rockford property taxes for a long time were more than the mortgage with little appreciation on home values. Always a trade off.
You are partially correct, but the house values increase every year. Property taxes are lower in Florida, no State Income tax and services are good (schools). In Illinois the schools are doing poorly so private schools are a choice for many (pricey).
Property taxes in Illinois were $10,500 in 2021, this year in Georgia we paid $1,050. Illinois works for people working great jobs as the pay scale is somewhat elevated but others struggle to pay the freight. I would love to know how many state pension checks are being sent to FL, TN and other states that manage the citizens money better.
I enjoyed my time in Florida, although the “spicier” culture was repellent enough to drive the Mrs. and I out and up to Georgia.
Really makes you wonder who the morons were that moved into Illinois. They must not have done the research.
Who lives in Illinois? Well, the Wirepoints team for starters. I wonder what they know that we don’t.
Once again, I’ll point out that western Tennessee to Chicago is a one-day drive, in case you consider moving here and anticipate going back for frequent visits after leaving Illinois. If you are a homeowner, the move will probably save you between 5-10 thousand dollars annually in property taxes. Next, look at what you paid last year in Illinois income tax. Whatever that dollar figure is, you won’t pay any of it in Tennessee. (And wouldn’t it be nice to get away from those pushing for a progressive state tax? Do you know how insane that sounds to those living… Read more »
Property taxes are laughably low, although sales tax is 9.75% and all food is taxed at 6% or so. But your insurance premiums will go down as well. There’s one house I was looking at with an assessed market value of 554K and taxes are 2248 per year. 3 acre lot on a mountain top.
Sales tax at 9.75% is still a (slight) discount to the typical 10% to 11% in Crook County.
First…amazing information. Thanks. Second, wait, but wait…the Fat Man just told us all was well and no way did Illinois lose residents and the economy is fine, unemployment is down…all is well. Wait a minute – could this schmuck be lying to us? This state will not continue if something doesn’t change. This trust fuind douche bag doesn’t give a damn about Illinois or this Country. He, like kamamamala are snakes and will say and do anything to win and serve their egos.
Another good read from WP. Good job.