‘We’ve found ways to persevere’: A local economy diversifying in a time of change

MACOMB (WGEM) - A demographic “cliff” is forcing many colleges and universities across the U.S. to adjust for the future, including Western Illinois University.

“In a sense, it’s population decline,” said WIU President Kristi Mindrup.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, college enrollment rates of recent high school graduates between 16 and 24-years-old are at a ten year low with roughly 61% enrolled as of Oct. 2023. Furthermore, it’s impacting how college communities, more specifically communities with regional schools, view the local economy and are able to adapt.

Since 2015, enrollment at WIU has decreased from 11,094 to 6,332. For the last few years, Macomb city officials have made strides in diversifying the local economy rather than relying solely on WIU as the city’