Housing slows, but Valley growth still high
-Copley Healthcare: $23 million center breaks ground for spring 2008 opening

July 11, 2008
By Christine Moyer

New U.S. Census data released Thursday confirms the area's place in statewide population -- Aurora retains its spot as the state's second-largest city and Oswego and Yorkville continue to be among the state's fastest-growing towns.

This new data from July 2007 also shows Kendall County as having the largest percentage increase in population among Illinois counties. The county's population rose by around 11 percent, from 87,548 in July 2006 to 96,818 in 2007. "It doesn't surprise me that we're still close to the top," said Kendall County Board Chairman John Church. "Even though (growth) slowed down here, compared to potentially other parts of the state or country, there's probably still more activity here than other places."

These numbers released Thursday by the Census Bureau are the government's estimates of populations in the nation's cities and villages as of July 2007. The estimates are produced annually between the actual census counts done once a decade. Even more interesting, Church said, will be comparing data from 2008 to 2007, which will reflect the downturn in the nation's housing market that has rippled across the country. "There's no doubt," Church said, "the number of building permits (issued in) the county has dropped."

But slowed growth is not completely bad news for Kendall, which grew faster than any other county in the nation from 2000 through the end of 2007, according to Census Bureau numbers. The county's local governments are catching their breath, Church said, and planning ahead for when home building picks up again.

Oswego Village President Brian LeClercq wasn't surprised by new data ranking the town as seventh in the state for percentage increase in population from 2006 to 2007, growing an estimated 11 percent to 28,978 people. "I think Oswego is an attractive community ... it's a desirable community," LeClercq said. "I think my bigger concern now is making sure that number doesn't drop because of foreclosures." Oswego's foreclosure and house permit numbers for this year were not immediately available.

Yorkville Mayor Valerie Burd said the city has "absolutely" felt the effects of the shaky housing market.
Foreclosures are up and residential permits are down in the city with the state's second-largest percentage increase in population from 2006 to 2007, growing an estimated 20.57 percent to 15,193 residents. From January through the end of June, Yorkville's Community Development department issued 93 residential permits for new units, said Travis Miller, community development director. During that same period in 2006, Miller said, the city department issued 233 residential permits. "It's quite a bit down," he noted. Burd remains optimistic about future growth in the city she calls "a gem in the rough." She said developer interest in Yorkville remains high and she highlighted recent commercial growth, including the new Raging Waves water park, which has brought hundreds of jobs to the community. "Job-wise, this year has been a very good year for Yorkville," Burd said. "And I think jobs attract more people."

Town	July 1, 2007	July 1, 2006	Actual Increase	% of Growth
Aurora Batavia Geneva Montgomery North Aurora Oswego St. Charles Sandwich Somonauk Sugar Grove Yorkville	170,855 27,296 24,182 14,662 15,582 28,978 32,771 7,326 1,625 9,453 15,193	168,830 27,076 23,810 13,668 14,929 26,043 32,609 7,197 1,618 8,902 12,601	2,025 220 372 994 653 2,935 162 129 7 551 2,592	1.2% .8% 1.6% .3% 4.4% 11.3% .5% 1.8% .5% 6.2% 20.5%