Home to more than 200 professional dance companies including the Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Chicago delivers a packed calendar of performances on downtown stages and in neighborhood venues and parks. [287] In 2013, the violent crime rate was 910 per 100,000 people;[289] the murder rate was 10.4 while high crime districts saw 38.9, low crime districts saw 2.5 murders per 100,000. Ravinia Festival, located 25 miles (40km) north of Chicago, is the summer home of the CSO, and is a favorite destination for many Chicagoans. [25] According to his diary of late September 1687: when we arrived at the said place called "Chicagou" which, according to what we were able to learn of it, has taken this name because of the quantity of garlic which grows in the forests in this region. 74 music festivals the ChicagoBlues Festival, Pitchfork, and Lollapalooza, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Blue Man Group at Briar Street Theater - Boystown, Apollo 2000 (Formerly Marshal SquareTheater) - Little Village, More than 115 miles of protected bike lanes. In 1933 and 1934, the city celebrated its centennial by hosting the Century of Progress International Exposition World's Fair. Chicago has professional sports teams in each of the major professional leagues, including two Major League Baseball teams. The fountain's two towers display visual effects from LED images of Chicagoans' faces, along with water spouting from their lips. Households with a computer, percent, 2017-2021. Other museums and galleries in Chicago include the Chicago History Museum, the Driehaus Museum, the DuSable Museum of African American History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, the Polish Museum of America, the Museum of Broadcast Communications, the Pritzker Military Library, the Chicago Architecture Foundation, and the Museum of Science and Industry. [32][33] Since the legalization of same-sex marriage in the State of Illinois in 2013, over 10,000 same-sex couples have wed in Cook County alone.[34]. Between 1910 and 1930, the African American population of Chicago increased dramatically, from 44,103 to 233,903. Chicago's Italian community has historically been based along the Taylor Street and Grand Avenue corridors on the West Side of the city. From 1928 to 1933, the city witnessed a tax revolt, and the city was unable to meet payroll or provide relief efforts. Even more challenging were the social conditions in some parts of the city. [citation needed], The Cubs are the oldest Major League Baseball team to have never changed their city;[255] they have played in Chicago since 1871, and continuously so since 1874 due to the Great Chicago Fire. In 1803, the U.S. Army constructed Fort Dearborn, which was destroyed during the War of 1812 in the Battle of Fort Dearborn by the Potawatomi before being later rebuilt. Computer and Internet Use. Parts of this were built, but it was never completed. Computer and Internet Use. [65][66] In 1883, Chicago's railway managers needed a general time convention, so they developed the standardized system of North American time zones. However, it was less than in many smaller American cities, including New Orleans, Newark, and Detroit, although the latter has fallen substantially in recent years. [140] They can reach nearly 80F (27C), such as during the July 2019 heat wave. The current mayor is Lori Lightfoot. [317], The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago operates Catholic schools, that include Jesuit preparatory schools and others including St. Rita of Cascia High School, De La Salle Institute, Josephinum Academy, DePaul College Prep, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Brother Rice High School, St. Ignatius College Preparatory School, Mount Carmel High School, Queen of Peace High School, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, Marist High School, St.Patrick High School and Resurrection High School. From 1995 to 2008, the city had a blue bag program to divert recyclable refuse from landfills. [14] O'Hare International Airport is routinely ranked among the world's top six busiest airports according to tracked data by the Airports Council International. Chicago has one of the largest concentrations of Italian Americans in the US, with more than 500,000 living in the metropolitan area. Because of the dominance of the Democratic Party in Chicago, the Democratic primary vote held in the spring is generally more significant than the general elections in November for U.S. House and Illinois State seats. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. For much of the twentieth century, it nurtured a strong style of figurative surrealism, as in the works of Ivan Albright and Ed Paschke. Chicago (/ko/ (listen) shih-KAH-goh, locally also /ko/ shih-KAW-goh;[6] Miami-Illinois: Shikaakwa; Ojibwe: Zhigaagong) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and the third most populous in the United States after New York City and Los Angeles. In addition, the Chicago Medical School and Loyola University Chicago's Stritch School of Medicine are located in the suburbs of North Chicago and Maywood, respectively. ), Independent Baptist (Historically Black Protestant Trad. belief in existence of standards for right and wrong by metro area, Learn More: belief in absolute standards for right and wrong, There are clear standards for what is right and wrong, Right or wrong depends on the situation, % of adults in the Chicago metro area who read scripture, Compare: [342], Chicago is the largest hub in the railroad industry. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. Explore the data and maps. [175], According to the 20082012 American Community Survey, the ancestral groups having 10,000 or more persons in Chicago were:[176], Persons identifying themselves in "Other groups" were classified at 1.72million, and unclassified or not reported were approximately 153,000. The River North Gallery District features the nation's largest concentration of contemporary art galleries outside of New York City. The Taste of Polonia Festival in Jefferson Park celebrates Polish culture annually on Labor Day weekend. The proximity to Lake Michigan tends to keep the Chicago lakefront somewhat cooler in summer and less brutally cold in winter than inland parts of the city and suburbs away from the lake. [82], Mayor Richard J. Daley, a Democrat, was elected in 1955, in the era of machine politics. Three of the most heavily Catholic cities also are the nations three largest cities. [17] There are approximately 70,000 Bosnian Americans in Chicago. This project began with the construction and improvement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and was completed with the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal that connects to the Illinois River, which flows into the Mississippi River. [131], There are preliminary plans to erect a 1:1scale replica of Wacaw Szymanowski's Art Nouveau statue of Frdric Chopin found in Warsaw's Royal Baths along Chicago's lakefront in addition to a different sculpture commemorating the artist in Chopin Park for the 200th anniversary of Frdric Chopin's birth. The aldermanic, mayoral, and other city offices are filled through nonpartisan elections with runoffs as needed. [226] Most conventions are held at McCormick Place, just south of Soldier Field. Religion Census 2010 offers unique insights into religious populations. [236], The Chicago-style hot dog, typically an all-beef hot dog, is loaded with an array of toppings that often includes pickle relish, yellow mustard, pickled sport peppers, tomato wedges, dill pickle spear and topped off with celery salt on a poppy seed bun. The chief advocate for improving public health in Chicago was Dr. John H. Rauch, M.D. These areas contribute famous skyscrapers, abundant restaurants, shopping, museums, a stadium for the Chicago Bears, convention facilities, parkland, and beaches. 3.52. [282] Chicago had a murder rate of 18.5 per 100,000 residents in 2012, ranking 16th among US cities with 100,000 people or more. As the former Yugoslavia continued to find its identity as a nation over the last century, the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina sought stability and new beginnings in the city of Chicago many intending to return to their homeland. By 1930, two-thirds of Chicago's black population lived in sections of the city which were 90% black in racial composition. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) performs at Symphony Center, and is recognized as one of the best orchestras in the world. The city is the birthplace of house music (a popular form of electronic dance music) and industrial music, and is the site of an influential hip hop scene. (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax His accomplishments included improvements to parks and creating incentives for sustainable development, as well as closing Meigs Field in the middle of the night and destroying the runways. Chicago is also a prominent center of the Polish Cathedral style of church architecture. [223], Chicago has a distinctive fine art tradition. During the 1950s the Chinese population grew from 3,000 to 6,000. views about government aid to the poor by metro area, Learn More: views about government aid to the poor, Does more harm than good, Does more good than harm, % of adults in the Chicago metro area who say abortion should be, Compare: [158] A large number of blacks also settled on the West Side. Although their numbers dropped because of reduced emigration from Germany and because World War I had made it unpopular to acknowledge one's German heritage, 22 percent of Chicago's population still did so in 1920. In the 1980s and 90s, the city was the global center for house and industrial music, two forms of music created in Chicago, as well as being popular for alternative rock, punk, and new wave. Protestant bodies account for most congregations and adherents. [194] Illinois is home to 66 Fortune 1000 companies, including those in Chicago. Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World, Size & Demographic Characteristics of Religious Groups, all 50 states and the 17 largest metropolitan areas, Q&A: The Muslim-Christian education gap in sub-Saharan Africa, Muslims in sub-Saharan Africa are twice as likely as Christians to have no formal education, How Religious Groups Differ in Educational Attainment, 60% of Americans Would Be Uncomfortable With Provider Relying on AI in Their Own Health Care, Gender pay gap in U.S. hasnt changed much in two decades. [100], When Chicago was founded in 1837, most of the early building was around the mouth of the Chicago River, as can be seen on a map of the city's original 58 blocks. [161], According to U.S. census estimates as of July2019[update], Chicago's largest racial or ethnic group is non-Hispanic White at 32.8% of the population, Blacks at 30.1% and the Hispanic population at 29.0% of the population. an Irishman." Annual festivals feature various acts, such as Lollapalooza and the Pitchfork Music Festival. Dew point temperatures in the summer range from an average of 55.7F (13.2C) in June to 61.7F (16.5C) in July. [361] Like Chicago, many of them are the main city of a country that has had large numbers of immigrants settle in Chicago. National polls rarely give any religious data below the national level. [177], Non-Christian faiths accounted for 7% of the religious population in 2014. As of the 2010 Census, Chicago has the third-largest Puerto Rican population in the continental United States,[26] after New York City and Philadelphia, and the fourth largest Mexican population in the United States after Los Angeles, San Antonio, and Houston. Chicago is home to NetherRealm Studios, the developers of the Mortal Kombat series. At least 7.2% identify as a different race and 0.1% identifies as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. As much as Chicagoans like to play sports, we also love to watch the pros do it. This dialect can also be found in other cities bordering the Great Lakes such as Cleveland, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Rochester, New York, and most prominently features a rearrangement of certain vowel sounds, such as the short 'a' sound as in "cat", which can sound more like "kyet" to outsiders. [182], The first two Parliament of the World's Religions in 1893 and 1993 were held in Chicago. [344] As of 2002[update], severe freight train congestion caused trains to take as long to get through the Chicago region as it took to get there from the West Coast of the country (about 2 days). At the end of the 19th century, Chicago was the fifth-largest city in the world,[156] and the largest of the cities that did not exist at the dawn of the century. Religion Census is the most extensive count of congregations ever conducted. The historic Chicago Cultural Center (1897), originally serving as the Chicago Public Library, now houses the city's Visitor Information Center, galleries and exhibit halls. Diocesan Priests, Deacons, Women and Men Religious, and Lay Personnel in the Archdiocese Diocesan Priests (including active and retired): 683 Religious Priests: 432 Religious Brothers: 149 Women Religious: 1,068 Deacons: 652 (includes active, active outside the diocese, seniors, and retired) Certified Pastoral Associates: 43 Males had a median income of $35,907 versus $30,536 for females. [275] Washington Park is also one of the city's biggest parks; covering nearly 400 acres (160ha). [109] The North Side is the most-densely-populated residential section of the city, and many high-rises are located on this side of the city along the lakefront. [94] Emanuel was sworn in as mayor on May 16, 2011, and won re-election in 2015. The city's main convention center is McCormick Place. Experience Chicagos most notable music festivals including the Chicago Blues Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival, Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Music Festival and Riot Fest. [328] All three Chicago franchise shows are filmed locally throughout Chicago and maintain strong national viewership averaging 7 million viewers per show. [280], The city is home of former United States President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama; Barack Obama was formerly a state legislator representing Chicago and later a US senator. [244] Annual festivals feature various Chicago signature dishes, such as Taste of Chicago and the Chicago Food Truck Festival. [79] The theme of the fair was technological innovation over the century since Chicago's founding. In 1983, Harold Washington became the first black mayor of Chicago. In the summer, many outdoor concerts are given in Grant Park and Millennium Park. [citation needed], Other live-music genre which are part of the city's cultural heritage include Chicago blues, Chicago soul, jazz, and gospel. He defeated Douglas in the general election, and this set the stage for the American Civil War. [108] The three sides of the city are represented on the Flag of Chicago by three horizontal white stripes. The Sox are fifth in the American League in all-time wins, and sixth in pennants. In each case, at least three-in-ten are evangelical Protestants (including 38% in Dallas). The Civic Opera House is home to the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Kennedy and Dan Ryan Expressways are the busiest state maintained routes in the entire state of Illinois.[334]. The City Council is the legislative branch and is made up of 50 aldermen, one elected from each ward in the city. They have played more games and have more wins than any other team in Major League baseball since 1876. [11][citation needed]. While the Chicago Loop is the central business district, Chicago is also a city of neighborhoods. Religions Explore religious groups in the U.S. by tradition, family and denomination Christian 70.6% Evangelical Protestant 25.4% Mainline Protestant 14.7% Historically Black Protestant 6.5% Catholic 20.8% Mormon 1.6% Orthodox Christian 0.5% Jehovah's Witness 0.8% Other Christian 0.4% Non-Christian Faiths 5.9% Jewish 1.9% Muslim 0.9% Buddhist 0.7% [2] The city's population peaked in the 1950 Census, although two of the three most recent Censuses as of 2022 have shown moderate growth. Sign up to receive updates. Note: Further details on the religious makeup of cities (as well as states) are available at our interactive website on the 2014 Religious Landscape Study. All other percentages (such as state-level data or data on specific demographic groups) are rounded to the nearest integer (e.g., 23%). Natural gas is provided by Peoples Gas, a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, which is headquartered in Chicago. Persons per household, 2017-2021. [73] Continuing racial tensions and violence, such as the Chicago Race Riot of 1919, also occurred. frequency of reading scripture by metro area, Learn More: frequency of reading scripture, At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Seldom/never, % of adults in the Chicago metro area who say the holy scripture is, Compare: [citation needed] Lane is one of the oldest schools in Chicago and in 2012 was designated a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. [16] The Bosnians were the first Muslims in the United States to incorporate an Islamic Association in 1906 in Chicago, Illinois. [citation needed], Two major daily newspapers are published in Chicago: the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times, with the Tribune having the larger circulation. The undergraduate student body is split among 41 states (may include Washington D.C.). In the 1850s, Chicago gained national political prominence as the home of Senator Stephen Douglas, the champion of the KansasNebraska Act and the "popular sovereignty" approach to the issue of the spread of slavery. Among these are Chagall's Four Seasons; the Chicago Picasso; Miro's Chicago; Calder's Flamingo; Oldenburg's Batcolumn; Moore's Large Interior Form, 1953-54, Man Enters the Cosmos and Nuclear Energy; Dubuffet's Monument with Standing Beast, Abakanowicz's Agora; and, Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate which has become an icon of the city. There are eleven selective enrollment high schools in the Chicago Public Schools,[307] designed to meet the needs of Chicago's most academically advanced students. [261], The Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) began play in 1926, and are one of the "Original Six" teams of the NHL. [181][177] A 2020 study estimated the total Jewish population of the Chicago metropolitan area, both religious and irreligious, at 319,600. From 1989 until May 16, 2011, Chicago was under the leadership of its longest-serving mayor, Richard M. Daley, the son of Richard J. Daley. [15] Chicago has the third largest Italian American population in the United States, behind only New York City and Philadelphia. [citation needed] Lollapalooza originated in Chicago in 1991 and at first travelled to many cities, but as of 2005 its home has been Chicago. [356], The Illinois Medical District is on the Near West Side. 250 live music venues including the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera, and Joffrey Ballet. Judaism has at least 261,000 adherents which is 3% of the population, making it the second largest religion. There are also significant Italian populations scattered throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. [263], Five area colleges play in DivisionI conferences: two from major conferencesthe DePaul Blue Demons (Big East Conference) and the Northwestern Wildcats (Big Ten Conference)and three from other D1 conferencesthe Chicago State Cougars (Western Athletic Conference); the Loyola Ramblers (Missouri Valley Conference); and the UIC Flames (Horizon League). Many other architects have left their impression on the Chicago skyline such as Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Charles B. Atwood, John Root, and Helmut Jahn. [11] Chicago made noted contributions to urban planning and zoning standards, including new construction styles (such as Chicago School architecture, the development of the City Beautiful Movement, and the steel-framed skyscraper). During its first century as a city, Chicago grew at a rate that ranked among the fastest growing in the world. [187] In 2007, Chicago was named the fourth-most important business center in the world in the MasterCard Worldwide Centers of Commerce Index. [320] His legacy continues with the multiple community colleges in the Chicago proper, including the seven City Colleges of Chicago: Richard J. Daley College, KennedyKing College, Malcolm X College, OliveHarvey College, Truman College, Harold Washington College and Wilbur Wright College, in addition to the privately held MacCormac College. Chicago is one of the largest hubs of passenger rail service in the nation. [224], In 2014[update], Chicago attracted 50.17million domestic leisure travelers, 11.09million domestic business travelers and 1.308million overseas visitors. Cubans first migrated to Chicago during the 1950s. Religion Census. The Chicago metropolitan area is the third-largest media market in North America, after New York City and Los Angeles and a major media hub. frequency feeling a sense of wonder about the universe by metro area, Learn More: frequency of feeling wonder about the universe, At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never, % of adults in the Chicago metro area who say they look tomost for guidance on right and wrong, Compare: Around two-thirds of the area's 8 million inhabitants are Christians, who read the Bible, according to National Conference for Community and Justice figures. In 1966, Martin Luther King Jr. and Albert Raby led the Chicago Freedom Movement, which culminated in agreements between Mayor Richard J. Daley and the movement leaders. (2004). Meanwhile, 10% of San Franciscans call themselves agnostics, compared with 5% who are atheists. [106] The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce defines it as all of Cook and DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. [85] Structural changes in industry, such as globalization and job outsourcing, caused heavy job losses for lower-skilled workers. ), Missionary Baptist (Historically Black Protestant Trad.