News Updates

Planning for an aging population in northeastern Illinois

Key findings

• The senior population in northeastern Illinois is growing, particularly in northern Cook County, western McHenry County, and southern Will County.
• Areas of the region with populations that are aging most rapidly are not very walkable and lack complete sidewalk networks, presenting barriers to seniors unable to drive.
• Understanding the region’s senior population can help communities plan for the future and ensure quality of life for everyone.

Executive summary

Northeastern Illinois’ senior population is growing, particularly in northern Cook, western McHenry, and southern Will counties, according to a new analysis by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP).

The region’s senior population is projected to increase by 880,000 people between 2015 and 2050. Aging introduces new considerations for the region, from the services that municipalities offer, to the types of housing residents want, to the transportation system required to meet the needs of an older population.

CMAP found that most areas in the region with aging populations are not walkable and have incomplete sidewalk networks. A walkable environment can help seniors maintain independence when driving is no longer an option.

To support communities as they prepare for a changing population, this policy brief examines where the region is aging, common characteristics of the senior population, and the walkability of areas with large or growing senior populations.