What's the jobs picture in Chicago?

Unemployment rate, labor force participation and employment-to-population ratio for Chicago, IL, compared with the county, the state and the United States.

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B23025.

This story was assembled using AI and public data sources.

The jobs picture in Chicago.

Unemployment rate: 7.9% — U.S.: 5.2%

Labor force participation: 67.3% — U.S.: 63.0%

Employed share of adults 16+: 62.0% — U.S.: 59.8%

Unemployment rate

Chicago: 7.9
Cook County: 6.9
IL: 5.8
U.S.: 5.2

What it means

Chicago's unemployment rate is 7.9% — 2.7 points above the national 5.2%.

67.3% of adults 16+ are in the labor force — 4.2 points above the national rate.

These figures come from the Census Bureau's household survey, not the monthly employer survey. They measure the city as a place of residence, so some residents commute elsewhere for work.

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates — Population, income, housing, education, commuting and poverty figures
Census Bureau API — ACS Detailed Tables — The endpoint these pages are generated from
data.census.gov — Look up the same tables for any place yourself
ACS accuracy statement — Estimates carry margins of error; small places vary the most

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