Chicago-Cook County Illinois Income Charts

This section shows the Chicago-Cook County Illinois economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2019 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Chicago-Cook County shows it has a median earnings per worker of $51,288 which is the second most of all the places in the area. The city with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Oak Park which depicts a median earnings of $78,690 (53.4% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $47,712, Chicago-Cook County is 7.5% larger. Also, compared to the state of Illinois, median earnings per worker of $51,263, Chicago-Cook County is about the same size.

In Figure 2 a more complete view of income is shown which aggregates income from all members in the household and it has a median household income of $55,198 which is less than most other places in the surrounding region. The city with the highest median household income in the area is Oak Park which depicts a median income of $91,945 (66.6% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $60,293, Chicago-Cook County is about 9.2% smaller. Also, measured against the state of Illinois, median household income of $63,575, Chicago-Cook County is about 15.2% smaller.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Chicago-Cook County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has one of the largest proportions of earnings of $100,000 more at 12.5% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Oak Park with 25.5%.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has an average hours of 38.9 which is the third most average hours of all other places in the greater Chicago-Cook County region. The city with the highest average hours in the area is Stickney which shows an average hours of 39.4 ( only slightly larger). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has an average hourly earnings of $25.35 which is the second most of all the places in the metropolitan area. The city with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Oak Park which depicts an average hourly earnings of $38.41 (51.5% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $23.71, Chicago-Cook County is 6.9% larger. Also, compared to the state of Illinois, average hourly earnings of $25.61, Chicago-Cook County is about the same size.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Chicago-Cook County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Chicago-Cook County depicts it has a percentage of people self employed of 8.8% which is in the mid range of other places in the surrounding region. The city with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Oak Park which shows a percentage self employed of 14.2% (61.4% larger).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the percentage of median income-under 25 years in the middle range of other places in the area at $31,251 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-25 to 44 years at $67,175 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Stickney ($88,831), and #1 Oak Park ($91,134) are larger. Third, it has in the mid point range of other places in the metropolitan area when sorted by median income-45 to 64 years at $60,127 of the total. Also, it has less than most other places in the local area when ranked by median income-65 years and over at $33,450 of the total.

The next chart (Figure 11) shows the percentage of households that had retirement income over the last 12 months and it has a households with retirement income of 11.7% which is less than most other places in the metropolitan area. The city with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Forest View which depicts a households with retirement income of 24.1% (about twice as large).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and has the percentage of overall family income less than most other places in the area at $64,997 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of white family income at $90,766 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Oak Park with $151,840. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of black family income at $41,272 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Berwyn ($61,250), and #1 Oak Park ($81,475) are larger. Also, it has the largest proportion of american indian family income at $63,407 of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has in the middle range of other places in the metropolitan area in order of asian family income at $76,952 of the total. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of hawaiian family income at $83,750 of the total and is ranked #1. Next it has less than most other places in the metro area in terms of hispanic family income at $50,674 of the total.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Chicago-Cook County shows it has the hightest cost of 117.3 for the cost of utilities grouping.

Chicago-Cook County Illinois Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at very recent, monthly trended employment related performance using data estimated by economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS tracks unemployment statistics for a large number of areas throughout the country on a month to month basis. However, not every location in the U.S. is tracked by the BLS so the chart will only show the closest location available (which may be the same location.) Figure 14 shows the monthly unemployment rate for the area as well as a comparison to the overall national economy measure for the United States. Note that in March to April 2020, the Covid 19 recession or great recession occurred and affects this metric. It depicts that from February 2010 to before the Wuhan Coronavirus/COVID Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 12.2% to 3.1% in December 2019. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 74.6%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 3.1% This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of very little. In Figure 15 the monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work are also defined as unemployed but do not include people who have given up looking for work. It shows that from January 2010 to before the disasterous COVID Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 1,352,020 to 1,330,330 in November 2019. This represents a decrease in the monthly labor force participation of very little. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 1,330,330 This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of very little.

The next two charts look at the annual unemployment rate/eligible for unemployment benefits and is based on the American Community survey. Figure 16 shows Chicago-Cook County depicts it has an unemployment rate of 5.9% which is the largest of all places in the greater Chicago-Cook County region. Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Chicago-Cook County shows it has a participation rate of 66.7% which is in the mid range of other places in the greater region.

The Components of Employment Status graph in Figure 18 shows the composition of the labor force broken down by employed, unemployed, and not in the labor force (but 16 years of age or older). Chicago-Cook County has the largest proportion of unemployed at 5.9% of the total and is ranked #1.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Chicago-Cook County shows full time employees approximately 3.7 times bigger as the part time employees.

The next employment related data item is shown in Figure 21 which is the percentage of families with only a single earner in the greater Chicago-Cook County area. Chicago-Cook County shows it has a families with a single earner of 30.3% which is less than most other places in the local area. The city with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Cicero which shows a single earners rate of 46.4% (53.2% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Chicago-Cook County depicts it has a families with no one working of 13.5% which is the second most families with no one working of all the places in the greater Chicago-Cook County region. The city with the highest families with no one working in the area is Berwyn which depicts a families with no worker of 14.0% (only about 3.4% larger).

Chicago-Cook County Illinois Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Chicago-Cook County community. This performance can be enhanced by government programs such as economic opportunity zone to influence manufacturing, job growth, economic opportunity an hopefully lead to economic recovery after the recent Covid 19 recession. In Figure 23 the total number of people earning less than the poverty level are shown. Chicago-Cook County depicts it has a total people earning less than the poverty level of 519,525 which is at the top of all other places in the greater Chicago-Cook County region.

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Chicago-Cook County shows it has a percent of people earning less than the poverty level of 19.5% which is the highest of all places in the greater Chicago-Cook County region.

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Chicago-Cook County has one of the largest proportions of person in poverty under 12 years at 22% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Berwyn (25%), and #1 Cicero (31%) are larger.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Chicago-Cook County has one of the largest proportions of black poverty rate at 31% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Cicero with 51%. Second, it has the largest proportion of american indian poverty rate at 19% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian poverty rate at 24% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Cicero with 54%. Also, it has the largest proportion of hispanicp poverty rate at 20% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Chicago-Cook County has one of the largest proportions of married with children and in poverty at 14% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Cicero with 15%. Second, it has the largest proportion of unmarried with children and in poverty at 46% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of unmarried female with children and in poverty at 50% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of unmarried male with children and in poverty at 31% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Chicago-Cook County has the largest proportion of less than highschool in poverty at 29% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of highschool graduate and in poverty at 20% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger city being Oak Park with 21%. Third, it has the largest proportion of has some college and in poverty at 16% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Chicago-Cook County has the percentage of people who are in poverty and not in labor force less than most other places in the metro area at 19.9% of the total. Additionally, Figure 30 looks at the percentage of people who receive some form of public assistance including general assistance, temporary assistance or food stamps (i.e. SNAP.) Chicago-Cook County shows it has a households with public assistance of 19.7% which is the third most of all other places in the local area. The city with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Cicero which shows a households with public assistance of 25.5% (29.1% larger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Chicago-Cook County depicts it has a the gini index of 52.9% which is ranked #1 of all places in the greater Chicago-Cook County region.

Chicago-Cook County Illinois Work Commute Charts

The following set of charts detail a variety of metrics that have economic impact, economic grow factors and economic development metrics in the Chicago-Cook County community and has an impact on other factors such as economic growth, population growth, economic recovery, job growth, etc.. Figure 32 shows a high level view of how the population commutes to work (including the percent of people who work from home.) Chicago-Cook County has the percentage of people who drive a car or motorcycle to work the second smallest when ranked by people who drive a car or motorcycle to work of all the other places in the local area at 59% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who take public transportation to work at 28% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who bicycle or walk to work at 8% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Chicago-Cook County or elsewhere.) Chicago-Cook County has the percentage of people who drove alone the second smallest as measured by people who drove alone of all the other places in the metropolitan area at 49% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who take the bus at 14% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who take a streetcar or trolley at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who take the ferry at 0% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who bike at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people who walked at 7% of the total and is ranked #1. Next it has the largest proportion of people who took a taxicab, motorcycle or other at 2% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Chicago-Cook County has the percentage of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am less than most other places in the surrounding region at 4% of the total.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Chicago-Cook County has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 60 to 89 minutes at 13% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Chicago-Cook County depicts it has an average commute time of 35 which is the second most of all the places in the metropolitan area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Chicago-Cook County depicts average commute time in minutes for men 7.4% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Chicago-Cook County has the largest proportion of no vehicle available at 16% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of 1 vehicle available at 40% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the second smallest in terms of no vehicle available of all the other places in the greater region in terms of 2 vehicles available at 30% of the total. Also, it has less than most other places in the metro area in terms of 3 vehicles available at 9% of the total. In addition, it has in the mid range of other places in the local area when ranked by 4 vehicles available at 3% of the total. Furthermore, it has less than most other places in the local area in order of 5 or more vehicles available at 1% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Chicago-Cook County shows it has a people who both work and live in the same city of 75% which is the most of all places in the greater Chicago-Cook County region. Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 42%, Chicago-Cook County is 79.6% larger. Also, in contrast to the state of Illinois, people who both work and live in the same city of 38%, Chicago-Cook County is about twice as large.

Chicago-Cook County Illinois Jobs Charts

The next to charts break out the median earnings for major job categories for men and women. Figure 46 shows the median earnings of men for the job categories. Chicago-Cook County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $84,680 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations grouping. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Chicago-Cook County indicates it has the hightest median earnings of $71,595 for the management, business, and financial occupations category. The table in Figure 48, shows Chicago-Cook County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Chicago-Cook County Illinois Self Employment Charts

Figure 49 shows economic activity in terms of the number of people who are self employed in incorporated local business by industry. Chicago-Cook County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 54% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses grouping.

Similar to the last chart is Figure 50 which shows the number of people who are self employed but in more detailed industry categories such as manufacturing, retail sales, residential real estate, commercial real estate, health care, exports/imports, and advanced industries, etc. Chicago-Cook County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 28% for the self employed in professional, scientific, management, administrative services group.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Chicago-Cook County depicts it has an average annual self employment income of $37,064 which is the second most average annual self employment income of all the places in the greater Chicago-Cook County region. The city with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Oak Park which depicts an average annual self employment income of $45,131 (21.8% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $37,819, Chicago-Cook County is about the same size. Also, measured against the state of Illinois, average annual self employment income of $37,670, Chicago-Cook County is about the same size.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Chicago-Cook County shows total number of self-employed men 54.5% larger as the total number of self-employed women.