Chicago, Illinois
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Overview
City Overview
As of 2009, Chicago's population is 2,836,658 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of -2.16 percent.
The median home cost in Chicago is $222,960. Home appreciation the last year has been -11.30 percent.
Compared to the rest of the country, Chicago's cost of living is 26.45% Higher than the U.S. average.
Chicago public schools spend $6,681 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058. There are about 18 students per teacher in Chicago.
The unemployment rate in Chicago is 9.70 percent(U.S. avg. is 8.50%). Recent job growth is Negative. Chicago jobs have Decreased by 6.50 percent.
Overview,
People,
Health,
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Education,
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People
The 2009 Chicago, IL, population is 2,836,658. There are 12,490 people per square mile (population density).
Family in Chicago, IL
The median age is 33.2. The US median is 37.6. 43.10% of people in Chicago, IL, are married. 8.80% are divorced.
The average household size is 2.74 people. 16.63% of people are married, with children. 11.78% have children, but are single.
Race in Chicago, IL
41.06% of people are white, 36.27% are black, 4.73% are asian, 0.41% are native american, and 17.80% claim 'Other'.
28.17% of the people in Chicago, IL, claim hispanic ethnicity (meaning 71.83% are non-hispanic).
Chicago People SperlingViews
Museums and Theaters: Chicago is a very great city in the summer-time. There are a lot of parks and museums to visit. The theater district is a great passtime to see your favorite play. ... (read more)Recreation: I am always looking for a place that have a lot of diversity and also a lot of recreational stuff to... (read more)Chicago: It's a great city with a high cost of living and a quick pace. ... (read more)Have an opinion about Chicago? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Chicago Click Here
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Health
There are 332 physicians per 100,000 population in Chicago, IL. The US average is 170.
Chicago, IL Health Index
Air quality in Chicago, IL is 1 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). This is based on ozone alert days and number of pollutants in the air, as reported by the EPA.
Water quality in Chicago, IL is 31 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators.
Superfund index is 10 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). This is upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts.
Chicago Health SperlingViews
re: Place to visit but not live! - 6/30/2009: I agree! Chicago is beautiful to look at but very expensive. You are double taxed on lots of things like bottled water, alcohol, restaurant dining, etc. Now Mayor... (read more)Miss This City: I've lived all over the nation and world and there's no place like Chicago--the good and the bad (there is so little mediocre). I'm a born'n'bred Chicagoan now settled... (read more)re: good place to grow up, then leave - 1/5/2007: I moved to Chicago from South Carolina in the early 90's (followed an ex-girfriend up here, but I'll save you the story). My dad's family is from Southern California and... (read more)Have an opinion about Chicago? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Chicago Click Here
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Economy
The unemployment rate in Chicago, IL, is 9.70%, with job growth of -6.50%. Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 17.30%.
Chicago, IL Taxes
Chicago, IL,sales tax rate is 8.75%. Income tax is 3.00%.
Chicago, IL Income and Salaries
The income per capita is $23,303, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $44,664.
Chicago Economy SperlingViews
Windy City: Windy city is the best place in the... (read more)I’m considering relocating to Chicago any suggesti: I’m from Orange County, California and the cost of living and traffic is bad. I’m 15 miles from work and it takes me 30-45 minutes to get home and my rent is pricy. How... (read more)Chicago Facts - Not Hype: Have lived in Chi-town suburbs for 40 years. That is long enough to have formed a reasoned opinion. Like every city listed on Sperlings there are pros and cons. Weather... (read more)Have an opinion about Chicago? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Chicago Click Here
| Unemployment Rate | 9.70% | 8.50% |
| Recent Job Growth | -6.50% | -3.10% |
| Future Job Growth | 17.30% | 26.40% |
| Sales Taxes | 8.75% | 6.00% |
| Income Taxes | 3.00% | 5.02% |
| Income per Cap. | $23,303 | $24,020 |
| Household Income | $44,664 | $44,684 |
| ESTIMATED HOUSEHOLDS BY HOUSEHOLD INCOME | | |
| Income Less Than 15K | 18.42% | 13.64% |
| Income between 15K and 25K | 11.21% | 11.21% |
| Income between 25K and 35K | 11.08% | 11.46% |
| Income between 35K and 50K | 15.60% | 15.84% |
| Income between 50K and 75K | 17.76% | 19.28% |
| Income between 75K and 100K | 10.10% | 11.53% |
| Income between 100K and 150K | 9.59% | 10.70% |
| Income between 150K and 250K | 4.17% | 4.43% |
| Income between 250K and 500K | 1.37% | 1.31% |
| Income greater than 500K | 0.71% | 0.61% |
| POPULATION BY OCCUPATION | | |
| Management, Business, and Financial Operations | 13.30% | 13.61% |
| Professional and Related Occupations | 20.17% | 20.24% |
| Service | 16.58% | 14.75% |
| Sales and Office | 26.97% | 26.74% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | 0.09% | 0.74% |
| Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance | 6.58% | 9.48% |
| Production, Transportation, and Material Moving | 16.31% | 14.44% |
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Housing
The median home value in Chicago, IL, is $222,960. Home appreciation is -11.30% over the last year. The median age of Chicago, IL, real estate is 56 years.
Chicago, IL Apartments and Rentals
Renters make up 52.09% of the Chicago, IL, population. 7.82% of houses and apartments in Chicago, IL, are unoccupied (vacancy rate).
Chicago Housing SperlingViews
Housing: Found this site to be excellent... (read more)Chicago Housing Costs: Chicago housing is high compared to other parts of the country. It is probably the highest in the... (read more)Lakeview area: I live in the Lakeview area and the housing boom is all around. Anywhere there is a lot or older building they put in the new brick three story condos. It's still a... (read more)Have an opinion about Chicago? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Chicago Click Here
| Median Home Age | 56 | 27 |
| Median Home Cost | $222,960 | $202,300 |
| Home Appreciation | -11.30% | -4.60% |
| Homes Owned | 40.13% | 64.07% |
| Housing Vacant | 7.82% | 14.48% |
| Homes Rented | 52.09% | 21.45% |
| Property Tax Rate | $15.89 | $13.28 |
| OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS BY VALUE | | |
| Less Than $20,000 | 0.38% | 3.01% |
| $20,000 to $39,999 | 0.62% | 4.37% |
| $40,000 to $59,999 | 1.38% | 5.74% |
| $60,000 to $79,999 | 2.55% | 7.07% |
| $80,000 to $99,999 | 4.95% | 8.41% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 21.21% | 19.74% |
| $150,000 to $199,999 | 18.34% | 14.06% |
| $200,000 to $299,999 | 25.95% | 16.59% |
| $300,000 to $399,999 | 11.07% | 8.21% |
| $400,000 to $499,999 | 4.69% | 4.53% |
| $500,000 to $749,999 | 5.36% | 4.75% |
| $1,000,000 or more | 1.75% | 1.86% |
| HOUSING UNITS BY YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT | | |
| 1999 to October 2005 | 4.90% | 10.15% |
| 1995 to 1998 | 1.81% | 6.69% |
| 1990 to 1994 | 1.73% | 6.70% |
| 1980 to 1989 | 3.94% | 14.75% |
| 1970 to 1979 | 8.15% | 17.11% |
| 1960 to 1969 | 13.08% | 12.78% |
| 1950 to 1959 | 16.26% | 11.64% |
| 1940 to 1949 | 13.65% | 6.64% |
| 1939 or Earlier | 36.48% | 13.55% |
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Crime
Chicago, IL, violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 7. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 3.
Chicago, IL, property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 7. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 3.
Chicago Crime SperlingViews
re: Crime is up - 11/9/2008: I agree Sperling View, CHICAGO is nuts! We as Chicagoans understand what a great place Chicago is but it can be better, by the way, I am born and raised in Chicago, born... (read more)Crime is up: The crime rate in Chicago keeps increasing, unemployment is on the raise and people are just going... (read more)higher cost of living doesn't equal safer streets: i have lived in chicago all of my life. and im anything but impressed with the daily violence that occurs. while im paying more everyday to live here the city is not... (read more)Have an opinion about Chicago? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Chicago Click Here
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Climate
Chicago, IL, gets 34 inches of rain per year. The US average is 37. Snowfall is 34 inches. The average US city gets 25 inches of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 118.
On average, there are 189 sunny days per year in Chicago, IL. The July high is around 82 degrees. The January low is 20. Our comfort index, which is based on humidity during the hot months, is a 47 out of 100, where higher is more comfortable. The US average on the comfort index is 44.
Chicago Climate SperlingViews
Summertime Chicago: Chicago is the best place to be...only in the summertime. With so many activities to par-take in, Chicago is the best city for adventure. The people are friendly and the... (read more)Chicago - The city with it all except the weather: I love Chicago, crooked politics aside... I love the museums, the lake, the suburbs and the transportation. I live in a suburb of chicago and its nice to be 30 minutes... (read more)Our climate can be invigorating: Chicago is a delightful city, with parks and a beautiful lake available to all. These are enjoyable during a very short spring, a hot, humid Summer, and a short, but... (read more)Have an opinion about Chicago? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Chicago Click Here
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Education
Chicago, IL, schools spend $6,681 per student. There are 18 pupils per teacher, 886 students per librarian, and 515 children per counselor in Chicago, IL schools.
Chicago Education SperlingViews
re: Place to visit but not live! - 6/30/2009: I agree! Chicago is beautiful to look at but very expensive. You are double taxed on lots of things like bottled water, alcohol, restaurant dining, etc. Now Mayor... (read more)Miss This City: I've lived all over the nation and world and there's no place like Chicago--the good and the bad (there is so little mediocre). I'm a born'n'bred Chicagoan now settled... (read more)re: good place to grow up, then leave - 1/5/2007: I moved to Chicago from South Carolina in the early 90's (followed an ex-girfriend up here, but I'll save you the story). My dad's family is from Southern California and... (read more)Have an opinion about Chicago? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Chicago Click Here
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Transportation
The average one-way commute in Chicago, IL, takes 39 minutes. 50% of commuters drive their own car alone. 15% carpool with others. 26% take mass transit and 2% work from home.
Chicago Transportation SperlingViews
Public Transportation is Abundant: Despite fare increases, the Metropolitan area has a vast public transit... (read more)Convenient to get around: It is very convenient not to have to drive for every aspect of daily life. Although the CTA can be slow a combination of the CTA, cabs, walking and Taxis can get you to... (read more)Mass Transit: Chicago has some of the best mass transit in the country. I can go over 15 miles for $2.00 or allover the city for $5.75 in 1... (read more)Have an opinion about Chicago? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Chicago Click Here
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Cost of Living
Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 means Chicago, IL is cheaper than the US average. A cost of living index above 100 means Chicago, IL is more expensive.
Overall, Chicago, IL cost of living is 126.45.
Chicago Cost of Living SperlingViews
General: You can find someplace affordable to live, depending on what you're willing to live with. There's a lot of great old architecture in Chicago & no matter your heritage,... (read more)Good but Expensive: As a single person with no children, living in the city of Chicago is good for me but it is expensive. Parking, groceries, gas, etc. are ridiculously costly, and the... (read more)Chicago and suburbs have highest taxes in the Nati: At 11% sales tax I believe that Cook County, IL. is the highest in the country. The cost of gasoline is bumped by this as well as the use of smog formulated fuel which... (read more)Have an opinion about Chicago? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Chicago Click Here
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Religion
57.63% of the people in Chicago, IL are religious, meaning they affiliate with a religion. 39.93% are Catholic; 6.77% are Protestant; 0.17% are LDS; 4.57% are another Christian faith; 4.36% in Chicago, IL are Jewish; 0.05% are an eastern faith; 1.78% affilitates with Islam.
Chicago Religion SperlingViews
re: Place to visit but not live! - 6/30/2009: I agree! Chicago is beautiful to look at but very expensive. You are double taxed on lots of things like bottled water, alcohol, restaurant dining, etc. Now Mayor... (read more)Miss This City: I've lived all over the nation and world and there's no place like Chicago--the good and the bad (there is so little mediocre). I'm a born'n'bred Chicagoan now settled... (read more)re: good place to grow up, then leave - 1/5/2007: I moved to Chicago from South Carolina in the early 90's (followed an ex-girfriend up here, but I'll save you the story). My dad's family is from Southern California and... (read more)Have an opinion about Chicago? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Chicago Click Here
| Percent Religious | 57.63% | 50.03% |
| Catholic | 39.93% | 21.92% |
| Protestant | 6.77% | 19.12% |
| LDS | 0.17% | 1.57% |
| Baptist | 1.91% | 8.16% |
| Episcopalian | 0.41% | 8.12% |
| Pentecostal | 0.50% | 1.89% |
| Lutheran | 2.40% | 2.81% |
| Methodist | 0.82% | 3.84% |
| Presbyterian | 0.72% | 1.33% |
| Other Christian | 4.57% | 4.66% |
| Jewish | 4.36% | 2.16% |
| Eastern | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| Islam | 1.78% | 0.54% |
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Voting
70.25% of the people in Chicago, IL are registered as Democrats. 29.15% are registered Republican. Remaining are independent: 0.60%.
Chicago Voting SperlingViews
politics democratic but definitely corrupt: There are fairness laws here that are not found in Cities like Denver, for example, landlord/tenant laws. It is highly democratic, despite being run by Daley, who needs... (read more)re: Crime is up - 11/9/2008: I agree Sperling View, CHICAGO is nuts! We as Chicagoans understand what a great place Chicago is but it can be better, by the way, I am born and raised in Chicago, born... (read more)Crime is up: The crime rate in Chicago keeps increasing, unemployment is on the raise and people are just going... (read more)Have an opinion about Chicago? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Chicago Click Here
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