Chicago
City in Cook County, Illinois
Chicago is a city in Cook County, Illinois, with 2,746,388 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 587 ft (179 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Cicero, 3.9 miles W.
- 2,746,388residents (2020 Census)
- 587 ftelevation · 179 m
- 227.7 sq miland area · 589.8 km²
- 12,059 / sq mipopulation density
- 60608main ZIP code (30 in total)
About Chicago
Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States and the fifth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census. The Chicago metropolitan area has approximately 9.62 million residents according to the 2020 census and is the third-largest metropolitan statistical area in the country and part of the fourth-largest combined statistical area in the United States, spanning 19 counties in three states and with a population of nearly 10 million. Chicago is the county seat of Cook County, the second-most populous county in the U.S.
Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837 near a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed. It grew rapidly in the mid-19th century. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed several square miles and left more than 100,000 homeless, but Chicago's population continued to grow. Chicago made noted contributions to urban planning and architecture, such as the Chicago School, the development of the City Beautiful movement, the steel-framed skyscraper, and the Willis Tower being ranked among the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere.
Chicago is an international hub for finance, culture, commerce, industry, education, technology, telecommunications, and transportation. It has the largest and most diverse finance derivatives market in the world, generating 20% of all volume in commodities and financial futures alone. O'Hare International Airport was ranked the busiest airport in the world by number of take offs and landings in 2025, and the region is also the largest railroad hub in North America. The Chicago "L" rapid transit, commuter rail, and bus systems make up the second-largest public transit system in the U.S. The Chicago area has one of the highest gross domestic products (GDP) of any urban region in the world, generating nearly $1 trillion in 2026. The Loop is the second-largest central business district in the United States. Chicago's economy is diverse, with no single industry employing more than 14% of the workforce.
Chicago is a major destination for tourism, with nearly 57 million people visiting its cultural institutions, Lake Michigan beaches, restaurants, and other tourist sites in 2025. Chicago's culture has made significant contributions to the visual arts, literature, film, theater, comedy (especially improvisational comedy), food, dance, and music (particularly jazz, blues, soul, hip-hop, gospel, industrial, and electronic dance music, especially house music). Chicago is home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, while the Art Institute of Chicago has an influential visual arts museum and art school. The Chicago area is home to the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois Chicago, among other institutions of higher education. It also hosts the Barack Obama Presidential Center. Professional sports in Chicago include all major professional leagues, including two Major League Baseball teams. The city also hosts the Chicago Marathon, one of the World Marathon Majors.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chicago weather: 7-day forecast
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Source: National Weather Service (NOAA).
Live webcams in Chicago
Webcams: Windy.com
Living in Chicago
- Median household income
- $77,902
- Median home value
- $334,100
- Median rent
- $1,440/mo
- Median age
- 35.8
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Map of Chicago
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Chicago Street View
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Open in Google Maps ›Chicago, IL population
Chicago had 2,746,388 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 2,746,388 |
|---|---|
| Density | 12,059 per sq mi (4,656 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Chicago at a glance
| State | Illinois (IL) |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Type | City |
| Population | 2,746,388 (2020) |
| Land area | 227.74 sq mi (589.8 km²) |
| Water area | 6.79 sq mi (17.58 km²) |
| Elevation | 587 ft (179 m) |
| Coordinates | 41.8370° N, 87.6849° W |
| ZIP codes | 60608, 60402, 60601, 60602, 60603, 60604, 60605, 60606, 60607, 60609, 60610, 60611, 60612, 60615, 60616, 60621, 60622, 60623, 60624, 60629, 60632, 60636, 60637, 60642, 60644, 60651, 60653, 60654, 60661, 60804 |
| Official website | choosechicago.com |
| Census code (GEOID) | 1714000 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Chicago
- Cicero3.9 mi W
- Stickney4.8 mi W
- Forest View4.9 mi SW
- Berwyn5.5 mi W
- Oak Park6.4 mi NW
- Bedford Park6.6 mi SW
- Riverside6.8 mi W
- Forest Park7.1 mi W
- Lyons7.1 mi W
- North Riverside7.3 mi W
- Summit7.4 mi SW
- Hometown7.7 mi S
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Chicago
What county is Chicago in?
Chicago is in Cook County, Illinois.
What is the population of Chicago, IL?
2,746,388 people lived in Chicago at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Chicago, IL?
The main ZIP code is 60608. Other ZIP codes: 60402, 60601, 60602, 60603, 60604, 60605, 60606, 60607, 60609, 60610, 60611, 60612.
What is the elevation of Chicago?
587 feet (179 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Chicago?
Cicero (3.9 mi), Stickney (4.8 mi), Forest View (4.9 mi), Berwyn (5.5 mi), Oak Park (6.4 mi).
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