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Chicago is the biggest city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. It sits on the western shore of Lake Michigan. It is the third-most populous city in the United States, with about 2.74 million people living there as of the 2020 census. The Chicago metropolitan area has around 9.41 million people and is the third-largest metropolitan area in the country.
Chicago became an official city in 1837 near a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed. Even though it faced challenges like the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, the city grew quickly. It helped shape urban planning and architecture.
Today, Chicago is an important center for finance, culture, business, and transportation. Many people visit as tourists to see its cultural institutions, enjoy Lake Michigan beaches, and experience its lively arts scene. The city is famous for jazz, blues, and house music. Chicago has well-known landmarks, important schools like the University of Chicago, and many professional sports in Chicago.
Etymology and nicknames
Main article: Nicknames of Chicago
See also: Windy City (nickname) and List of Chicago placename etymologies
The name Chicago started from a very old word. It came from the Miami–Illinois language. That word, šikaakwa, described a wild plant that smelled like garlic. Early explorers saw this plant growing everywhere around the area. Because of this and other reasons, Chicago got many fun nicknames. Some of these nicknames are the Windy City, Chi-Town, and the Second City.
History
Main article: History of Chicago
For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Chicago history.
Beginnings
In the mid-1700s, the area was home to the Potawatomi, an indigenous tribe. They came after the Miami, Sauk and Meskwaki peoples.
The first known settler in Chicago was a trader, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. Du Sable was of African descent and established the settlement in the 1780s. He is known as the "Founder of Chicago".
In 1795, land that would become part of Chicago was given to the U.S. for a military post. In 1803, the U.S. Army built Fort Dearborn. It was destroyed during the War of 1812 but later rebuilt.
After the War of 1812, tribes such as the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi gave more land to the United States. The Potawatomi were later forced to leave their land and move west of the Mississippi River.
19th century
In 1833, Chicago became a town with about 200 people. It grew quickly to over 6,000 people in seven years. In 1837, Chicago became a city.
Chicago became an important place for travel between the eastern and western U.S. Its first railway and canal opened in 1848. The canal helped connect the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River.
Many people moved to Chicago from rural areas and other countries. Manufacturing, retail, and finance grew strongly. The Chicago Board of Trade started in 1848.
In the 1850s, Chicago was important in politics. It was home to Senator Stephen Douglas and helped Abraham Lincoln become president. Lincoln was nominated in Chicago in 1860.
The city improved its infrastructure to support growth. In 1856, it built the U.S.'s first sewer system. This raised parts of the city. Later, the city changed the flow of the Chicago River to keep the water clean.
On October 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed much of the city. Over 100,000 people lost their homes. But the city rebuilt with newer, stronger buildings. In 1885, Chicago built the world's first skyscraper.
Chicago grew by adding nearby areas. Many people from Europe and the Eastern United States moved there. By 1900, most people were either born in another country or had parents who were.
There were conflicts between workers and employers. In 1886, the Haymarket affair happened. Social workers like Jane Addams started Hull House to help immigrants.
Chicago also worked on public health. It passed laws to improve medical care and stop diseases like cholera, smallpox, and yellow fever.
Chicago became a major railroad center. In 1883, it helped create the standardized time zones used across North America.
In 1893, Chicago hosted the World's Columbian Exposition. It attracted millions of visitors and was very important for world's fairs. The University of Chicago moved to its current location at this time.
20th and 21st centuries
1900 to 1939
During World War I and the 1920s, industry grew a lot. Jobs attracted many African Americans from the Southern United States. This period is called the Great Migration.
The Great Depression caused hard times in Chicago because the city relied on heavy industry. Many jobs were lost, and unemployment was very high. The city faced financial problems but recovered by the mid-1930s.
In 1933, Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak was hurt in an attack on President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1940 to 1979
During World War II, Chicago made a lot of steel. In 1942, a scientist at the University of Chicago did the first controlled nuclear reaction, which led to the creation of the atomic bomb.
In the 1960s, many white residents moved to the suburbs. Changes in industry caused job losses. In 1966, Martin Luther King Jr. led efforts for civil rights in Chicago.
The city built many large projects, including the Willis Tower, which became the world's tallest building in 1974. In 1979, Jane Byrne became the first woman mayor of Chicago.
1980 to present
In 1983, Harold Washington became the first black mayor of Chicago. He focused on improving minority neighborhoods.
Richard M. Daley, son of a former mayor, was elected in 1989. He improved parks and supported sustainable development.
In 1992, a construction accident caused flooding in downtown Chicago, shutting down the area for days.
In 2011, Rahm Emanuel became mayor. In 2019, Lori Lightfoot became the first African American woman and openly LGBTQ mayor. In 2023, Brandon Johnson became the 57th mayor of Chicago.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Chicago
Chicago is in northeastern Illinois, next to Lake Michigan. It is the main city in the Chicago Metropolitan Area, located in both the Midwestern United States and the Great Lakes region. The city sits on a continental divide, linking the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes watersheds. Two rivers—the Chicago River and the Calumet River—flow through the city.
Lake Michigan plays an important role in Chicago's history and economy. The lake helps keep the city's climate milder, with waterfront areas being warmer in winter and cooler in summer. The city's central parts have a steady height, with an average of 579 ft above sea level. Lake Shore Drive runs beside the waterfront, which has parks such as Lincoln Park, Grant Park, and Jackson Park, along with 24 public beaches.
Main article: Community areas of Chicago
See also: List of neighborhoods in Chicago
Chicago has several main parts. The central business area is called the Loop, and there are the North, South, and West Sides. The North Side has the most homes, while the South Side covers about 60% of the city's land. In the late 1920s, the city was split into 75 areas, called community areas, with a few more added later, making 77 total. These areas can be split into over 200 informal neighborhoods.
Main article: Roads and expressways in Chicago
Chicago's streets follow a street grid that started from the city's first town. This grid helped the city grow well. Some streets cross diagonally, originally Native American trails. Chicago is famous for its wide sidewalks and parks, and Western Avenue is the longest continuous urban street in the world.
Main article: Architecture of Chicago
Further information: List of tallest buildings in Chicago and List of Chicago Landmarks
After a big fire, Chicago built many new structures, becoming known for its tall buildings. Today, the city has some of the tallest buildings in the United States, like the Willis Tower. The Loop has many old buildings, and architects such as Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan helped shape the city's look. Chicago is also well-known for its public art, with works by famous artists like Chagall, Picasso, and Miró.
Main article: Climate of Chicago
See also: Tornadoes in Chicago
Chicago has four clear seasons. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold and snowy. Spring and autumn are mild and brief. The city often has thunderstorms, which can bring large hail, strong winds, and sometimes tornadoes. Lake Michigan helps keep the areas near the lake cooler in summer and less cold in winter than areas farther away.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Chicago
Chicago grew quickly in its early years. It was founded in 1833 with fewer than 200 people. By 1890, the population had grown to over 1 million. By 1950, Chicago had more than 3 million people, but the number of people living there later went down.
Many people from different countries moved to Chicago, especially in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These included people from Ireland, Italy, Poland, and many other places. African Americans also moved to Chicago during a time called the Great Migration, mostly from the southern United States.
Today, Chicago's population is very diverse. The largest groups are non-Hispanic White, Black, and Hispanic. The city also has many people from Mexico, Poland, and India. Chicago became a sanctuary city in 2012, meaning it supports immigrants who may not have official papers.
Chicago has a rich mix of religions. Christianity is the most common, with many Protestant and Catholic communities. Other religions practiced in Chicago include Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The city has been an important place for many religious events and leaders over the years.
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 4,470 | — | |
| 1850 | 29,963 | 570.3% | |
| 1860 | 112,172 | 274.4% | |
| 1870 | 298,977 | 166.5% | |
| 1880 | 503,185 | 68.3% | |
| 1890 | 1,099,850 | 118.6% | |
| 1900 | 1,698,575 | 54.4% | |
| 1910 | 2,185,283 | 28.7% | |
| 1920 | 2,701,705 | 23.6% | |
| 1930 | 3,376,438 | 25.0% | |
| 1940 | 3,396,808 | 0.6% | |
| 1950 | 3,620,962 | 6.6% | |
| 1960 | 3,550,404 | −1.9% | |
| 1970 | 3,366,957 | −5.2% | |
| 1980 | 3,005,072 | −10.7% | |
| 1990 | 2,783,726 | −7.4% | |
| 2000 | 2,896,016 | 4.0% | |
| 2010 | 2,695,598 | −6.9% | |
| 2020 | 2,746,388 | 1.9% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 2,721,308 | −0.9% | |
| United States Census Bureau 2010–2020 | |||
| Racial composition | 2020 | 2010 | 1990 | 1970 | 1940 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 31.4% | 31.7% | 37.9% | 59.0% | 91.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 29.8% | 28.9% | 19.6% | 7.4% | 0.5% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 28.7% | 32.3% | 39.1% | 32.7% | 8.2% |
| Asian (non-Hispanic) | 6.9% | 5.4% | 3.7% | 0.9% | 0.1% |
| Two or more races (non-Hispanic) | 2.6% | 1.3% | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Race or Ethnicity | Race Alone | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 35.9% | 45.6% |
| Black or African American | 29.2% | 30.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | — | 29.8% |
| Asian | 7.0% | 8.0% |
| Native American | 1.3% | 2.6% |
| Mixed | 10.8% | — |
| Other | 15.8% | — |
Economy
Main article: Economy of Chicago
See also: List of companies in the Chicago metropolitan area
Chicago has a strong and varied economy. It is one of the best cities in the United States for business, with many important companies. The city is a big center for finance, with famous places like the Chicago Board Options Exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Chicago is also home to large companies such as Boeing, McDonald's, and Walgreens Boots Alliance.
The city offers many jobs and is important for industries like making things, food, and technology. Chicago is also a popular place for large events and meetings, with McCormick Place being one of the biggest convention centers in the world.
Culture and contemporary life
Main article: Culture of Chicago
Further information: List of people from Chicago
Chicago's waterfront and nightlife attract both locals and visitors. Many people live along the lakefront neighborhoods, from Rogers Park in the north to South Shore in the south. The city has many great restaurants, with foods from many cultures around the world. These include neighborhoods like Pilsen, home to Mexican American cuisine, and Paseo Boricua in Humboldt Park for Puerto Rican food.
Downtown Chicago is the heart of the city's business and culture. It includes Grant Park, many tall buildings, and areas like the Near North Side, Near South Side, and Near West Side. These places have famous skyscrapers, great restaurants, shops, museums, and parks.
Lincoln Park has a zoo and a conservatory. The River North Gallery District has many art galleries. Lake View is known for its LGBT community and the big Chicago Pride Parade held every June.
Entertainment and the arts
Further information: Theater in Chicago, Visual arts of Chicago, and Music of Chicago
See also: List of theaters in Chicago
Chicago has many famous theaters, like the Goodman Theatre and the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. There are also places to see Broadway shows and performances in many languages.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one of the world's best orchestras. There are also many music festivals, like Lollapalooza and the Pitchfork Music Festival. Chicago is known for its jazz, blues, and house music.
Chicago has a rich tradition of art, with many famous artists and museums.
Tourism
Main article: Tourism in Chicago
See also: List of beaches in Chicago
Chicago welcomes many visitors each year. People come to see the city's famous architecture, shop along the Magnificent Mile, enjoy meals in thousands of restaurants, and visit many museums. The city is a top spot for big events and conventions.
Museums
Further information: List of museums and cultural institutions in Chicago
Chicago has many interesting museums, such as the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Other museums include the Chicago History Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry.
Cuisine
See also: Culture of Chicago § Food and drink, Chicago farmers' markets, and List of Michelin starred restaurants in Chicago
Chicago is famous for its special foods. The city is known for its deep-dish pizza, which started at Pizzeria Uno. Another popular food is the Chicago-style hot dog, which has many toppings like pickles and peppers.
Other famous Chicago foods include the Italian beef sandwich and the Maxwell Street Polish. The city also has great barbecue and many festivals to enjoy these foods.
Literature
Chicago has a strong tradition of writing, with many famous books and poems coming from the city. Writers have often focused on the city's life and people. The city has seen important moments in American literature, including periods of great writing in the early 1900s and during the Great Depression. The magazine Poetry was started in Chicago and has featured many famous poets.
Sports
Main article: Sports in Chicago
Chicago is a great city for sports! It has many well-known teams. The Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox are both baseball teams. The Cubs play at Wrigley Field, and the White Sox play at Rate Field.
There are also teams for football, basketball, and hockey. The Chicago Bears play football, the Chicago Bulls play basketball, and the Chicago Blackhawks play hockey. All of these teams have won important championships. Chicago also has teams for women's sports and even esports!
| Club | League | Sport | Venue | Attendance | Founded | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | NFL | Football | Soldier Field | 61,142 | 1919 | 9 Championships (1 Super Bowl) |
| Chicago Cubs | MLB | Baseball | Wrigley Field | 41,649 | 1870 | 3 World Series |
| Chicago White Sox | MLB | Baseball | Rate Field | 40,615 | 1900 | 3 World Series |
| Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | Ice hockey | United Center | 21,653 | 1926 | 6 Stanley Cups |
| Chicago Bulls | NBA | Basketball | 20,776 | 1966 | 6 NBA Championships | |
| Chicago Fire | MLS | Soccer | Soldier Field | 17,383 | 1997 | 1 MLS Cup, 1 Supporters Shield |
| Chicago Sky | WNBA | Basketball | Wintrust Arena | 10,387 | 2006 | 1 WNBA Championships |
| Chicago Stars FC | NWSL | Soccer | SeatGeek Stadium | 5,863 | 2013 | None |
Parks and greenspace
Chicago is famous for its many beautiful parks and green spaces. The city has more than 570 parks covering over 8,000 acres. Lincoln Park is the largest, spanning 1,200 acres and welcoming many visitors each year. The city also has sandy beaches, many museums, and two famous conservatories.
There is a historic network of wide, tree-lined boulevards that connect many of Chicago's parks. These boulevards were built over many years and help make the city a lovely place to explore. Chicago also has a big harbor for boats and newer parks, like Millennium Park, which adds even more green space for everyone to enjoy.
Law and government
Main article: Government of Chicago
Main article: Political history of Chicago
Chicago's government has two main parts: executive and legislative. The mayor, who is Brandon Johnson, leads the executive branch. The mayor is elected every four years. The mayor picks leaders for city departments.
The City Council is the legislative branch. It has 50 alderpersons elected from different areas of the city. They make laws and approve the city's budget.
Chicago often supports the Democratic Party. The city has not elected a Republican mayor since 1927. Most of Chicago’s representatives in the United States House of Representatives are Democrats. The city has been led by Democratic mayors for many years, including Richard M. Daley and Harold Washington. Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama lived in Chicago.
Education
Chicago has many schools and libraries for students of all ages. The Chicago Public Schools oversee over 600 public schools. These schools offer advanced classes to help students prepare for college. Chicago also has many private schools, such as Lutheran schools, Ida Crown Jewish Academy, and Catholic schools run by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. There are also schools focused on arts, like the Chicago Academy for the Arts and the Chicago High School for the Arts. The Chicago Public Library has many branches where people can borrow books and learn.
Chicago is also home to many colleges and universities. Some of the well-known ones include the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Illinois Institute of Technology. These schools are famous for their research and teaching. There are also many smaller colleges, like the City Colleges of Chicago, which help students start their higher education journey. Chicago has many schools for special areas of study, such as psychology, theology, and the arts.
Media
Main article: Media in Chicago
See also: Chicago International Film Festival
Television
Chicago is an important place for TV. It is the third-largest media market in the United States. All five major U.S. TV networks have stations here. These include NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, and The CW. Some famous talk shows, like The Oprah Winfrey Show, began in Chicago. Today, Windy City Live is a popular daytime talk show in the city.
Television stations
Most TV stations in Chicago are owned by big companies. Some of the main stations are:
- WBBM-TV (2), owned by CBS.
- WMAQ-TV (5), owned by NBC.
- WLS-TV (7), owned by ABC.
- WGN-TV (9), a CW station owned by Nexstar Media Group.
- WTTW (11), a PBS station.
Newspapers
Chicago has two big daily newspapers: the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. There are also many other newspapers and magazines for different interests and communities.
Movies and filming
See also: List of movies set in Chicago and List of television shows set in Chicago
Radio
Chicago has many radio stations, including powerful AM stations like WBBM, WSCR, WGN, WLS, and WMVP. The city is also home to popular national radio shows and programs such as This American Life and Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Main article: Transportation in Chicago
Chicago is a big place for moving goods and people. It is an important port after Hong Kong and Singapore.
Chicago has many households without cars. In 2016, about 27.5 percent of homes did not have a car.
Parking
Because of Chicago's wheel tax, people who own a vehicle need to buy a special sticker to park on city streets. In 2008, Chicago made a big agreement to lease its parking meter system for many years to a company.
Expressways
Main article: Roads and expressways in Chicago
Seven main and four smaller interstate highways run through Chicago and its suburbs. Some of these roads are named after important leaders.
Transit systems
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) helps manage public transportation in Chicago through three groups: CTA, Metra, and Pace.
- The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) runs buses and a special train system called the Chicago "L".
- Metra is a popular train service for people living in the suburbs.
- Pace provides bus service in the suburbs and some parts of the city.
Greyhound Lines offers bus trips to other cities, and Chicago is a center for Megabus in the Midwest.
Passenger rail
Amtrak and other train services start from Chicago Union Station. Chicago has four train stations, with Union Station being the main one for Amtrak.
Bicycle and scooter sharing systems
In 2013, Chicago started a bicycle-sharing system called Divvy. In 2019, the city also began a program for renting electric scooters.
Freight rail
Chicago is a very important place for train freight services.
Airports
Further information: Transportation in Chicago § Airports
Chicago has two major airports: O'Hare International Airport, and Midway International Airport. Both are run by the city of Chicago.
Port authority
Main article: Port of Chicago
The Port of Chicago has several places where ships can dock and unload goods.
Utilities
Most electricity in northern Illinois comes from Commonwealth Edison, also called ComEd. Chicago is also starting to use wind turbines to make energy.
Natural gas in Chicago is provided by Peoples Gas.
Health systems
The Illinois Medical District includes important hospitals like Rush University Medical Center and University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago. Chicago is also home to top medical schools and hospitals such as Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Sister cities
Chicago has many sister cities around the world. These cities work together to share ideas and help each other. Some of Chicago's sister cities are:
- Accra, Ghana
- Amman, Jordan
- Athens, Greece
- Belgrade, Serbia
- Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
- Bogotá, Colombia
- Busan, South Korea
- Casablanca, Morocco
- Delhi, India
- Durban, South Africa
- Galway, Ireland
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Hamburg, Germany
- Kyiv, Ukraine
- Lahore, Pakistan
- Lucerne, Switzerland
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Milan, Italy
- Moscow, Russia (suspended)
- Osaka, Japan
- Paris, France (friendship city)
- Petah Tikva, Israel
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Shanghai, China
- Shenyang, China
- Sydney, Australia (friendship city)
- Toronto, Canada
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Warsaw, Poland
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