The Census Bureau released new population figures today for Illinois and Monroe County is among the fastest growing areas in the state. St. Clair and Madison counties remain in the top 10 among the most populous counties, although the Metro East counties switched places on the list from the 2000 Census. Madison County dropped to ninth from eighth; St. Clair County moved to eighth from ninth.

However, neither county has a city big enough to make the list of the 20 largest in the state. Although the population of Chicago dropped by nearly 7 percent, it remains far ahead of other Illinois cities, with nearly 2.9 million people. In a distant second is Aurora, with just under 143,000 people.

Monroe County, with 32,957 people, remains small, but is the fastest growing downstate county. The only counties growing as quickly by percentage are collar counties of Chicago.

The Census Bureau this month and next is releasing 2010 figures on population, race and ethnicity a few states at a time. This week, it's Illinois, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas.  Information on eight other states was released earlier this month. Missouri information has not yet been made public.

For a full report on today's release of census information, check back with stltoday.com or in tomorrow's Post-Dispatch.