Once a rural outpost surrounded by corn and soybean fields, Yorkville could be transformed into one of Chicago's larger suburbs by 2010.

Fueled by rapid residential growth, the Kendal County seat may top 45,00 residents – a more than 600 percent increase from the 2000 census – if projections hold true.

Yorkville, which counted 66,189 residents in the 2000 U.S. Census, has already nearly doubled to approximately 11,000 residents. And there's much more to come with 44 current and projected developments on tap, according to a study by municipal staff.

“We had this [information] out to prospective developers and associations that we're affiliated with so they sort of know where were going,” said Bart Olson, a Yorkville administrative assistant who discussed the figures with the City Council's Economic Development Committee late last month.

If all current developments are built, Yorkville's population would top 38,000 by 2010. And adding in potential future developments would boost the projections to 45,903.

The biggest driver of growth is the Grande Reserve development to be located on U.S. Highway 34 on Yorkville's far east side. A total of 2,650 units – including 1,324 single-family homes – are planned for the 1,027-acre site. Construction plans are slated through 2010.

City officials estimate annual growth of between 5,000 and 7,000 people through 2000.