Chicago is located in Cook County, Illinois. Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States by population. It is situated in the northeastern part of the state, on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. See below the Chicago location on the US Map.
Where is Chicago on the US Map
About Map: Map showing the location of Chicago in the state of Illinois, United States.
Illinois Maps & Info
Where is Chicago Located?
Chicago, city, seat of Cook county, northeastern Illinois. Chicago is the largest city of Illinois and third largest city of the United States after New York City and Los Angeles.
Chicago was founded in the year 1833 in between the Lake Michigan and Mississippi River watershed. In the passage of time, city has experienced the tremendous growth; at present, it is the major hub for industry and telecommunications. Above all, the O'Hare International Airport is the second busiest airport, in terms of the traffic movements in the world.
Furthermore, the city is the center of business and finance and ranked as the world's top ten Global Financial Centers. Additionally, Chicago is listed as "alpha world city" by the World Cities Study Group at Loughborough University. Chicago is also ranked as 5th most powerful city by the Forbes.
Interestingly, Chicago has various nicknames including "Chi-town", "Windy City", "Second City," the "City of Big Shoulders", and "American of big cities".
Cities Near Chicago (Illinois) United States:
| Town | mi. | km. | State | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincolnwood | 7.63 | 12.28 | Illinois | 12590 |
| Cicero | 8.95 | 14.4 | Illinois | 81597 |
| Elmwood Park | 8.97 | 14.44 | Illinois | 24883 |
| Oak Park | 8.99 | 14.47 | Illinois | 51878 |
| Evanston | 9.5 | 15.29 | Illinois | 73473 |
| Harwood Heights | 9.82 | 15.8 | Illinois | 8612 |
| Skokie | 9.9 | 15.93 | Illinois | 64784 |
| River Forest | 9.98 | 16.06 | Illinois | 11172 |
| Berwyn | 10.53 | 16.95 | Illinois | 54391 |
| Forest Park | 10.59 | 17.04 | Illinois | 14167 |
| Elmhurst | 18 | 30.4 | Illinois | 46463 |
| Aurora | 41 | 66.41 | Illinois | 386502 |
| Elgin | 40 | 65.1 | Illinois | 24760 |
| Naperville | 34 | 54.65 | Illinois | 149167 |
| Gurnee | 40 | 65.1 | Illinois | 30671 |
| Algonquin | 45 | 72.6 | Illinois | 30799 |
| Chesterton, | 46 | 73.84 | Indiana | 14119 |
Places to See in Chicago:
Following are the list of Top Places to Visit in Chicago, Illinois;
| Millennium Park | Museum of Science and Industry | Chicago Cultural Center | Lakefront Trail |
| Willis Tower | Lincoln Park Zoo | City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower | Tribune Tower |
| Navy Pier | Adler Planetarium | Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio | Chicago Riverwalk |
| The Art Institute of Chicago | Buckingham Fountain | Jay Pritzker Pavilion | Maggie Daley Park |
| Cloud Gate | Field Museum | Chicago Architecture Center | North Avenue Beach |
| 875 North Michigan Avenue | Wrigley Field | Museum Of Contemporary Art | Lurie Garden |
| Shedd Aquarium | Chicago Riverwalk | Chicago Children's Museum | Wendella Tours & Cruises |
| Grant Park | 360 Chicago | Brookfield Zoo | Northerly Island |
| Skydeck Chicago | Crown Fountain | Lincoln Park Conservatory | Bahá'í House of Worship |
Chicago, Illinois Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Chicago |
| County | Cook County |
| State | Illinois |
| State Capital | Springfield |
| US Region | Midwest |
| Latitude | 41.8781° N |
| Longitude | 87.6298° W |
| Elevation | 594 ft (181 m) |
| Land Area | 227.3 sq mi |
| Water Area | 6.8 sq mi |
| Total Area | 234.1 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 2,746,388 |
| Population Density | Approximately 12,082 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 60601-60661, 60666, 60701 |
| Area Code | 312, 773, 872 |
| Time Zone Standard | Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 17-14000 |
| Congressional District | Illinois 1st, 5th, 7th and related districts |
Location and Surroundings
Chicago is located in northeastern Illinois along the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. It lies between Milwaukee to the north and northwest Indiana to the southeast, serving as the largest city in the Midwest. The city is known for its skyline, architecture, transportation network, cultural institutions, professional sports teams, and global business importance.
Nearby Cities to Chicago, Illinois
- Evanston, Illinois - 12 mi North
- Oak Park, Illinois - 9 mi West
- Cicero, Illinois - 8 mi West
- Skokie, Illinois - 15 mi North
- Berwyn, Illinois - 10 mi West
- Des Plaines, Illinois - 18 mi Northwest
- Gary, Indiana - 28 mi Southeast
- Naperville, Illinois - 30 mi West
- Joliet, Illinois - 40 mi Southwest
- Waukegan, Illinois - 39 mi North
Chicago, Illinois Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32 | 19 | 1.8 |
| April | 57 | 40 | 3.7 |
| July | 84 | 69 | 3.6 |
| October | 63 | 48 | 3.1 |
| Annual | 59 | 45 | 38.0 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Hot-Summer Humid Continental (Dfa) |
| Annual Rainfall | About 38 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | Approximately 189 days |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Low hurricane risk, moderate tornado risk |
| Snowfall | Approximately 37 inches annually |
Driving Distances from Chicago, Illinois
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Park | Illinois | 9 | 20 min |
| Cicero | Illinois | 8 | 20 min |
| Evanston | Illinois | 12 | 25 min |
| Skokie | Illinois | 15 | 30 min |
| Des Plaines | Illinois | 18 | 30 min |
| Gary | Indiana | 28 | 40 min |
| Naperville | Illinois | 30 | 45 min |
| Waukegan | Illinois | 39 | 50 min |
| Joliet | Illinois | 40 | 55 min |
| Milwaukee | Wisconsin | 92 | 1 hr 30 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Chicago, Illinois
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | O'Hare International Airport |
| IATA Code | ORD |
| Port | Port of Chicago |
| Major Highways | I-90, I-94, I-55, I-57, I-290, I-294 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | Major Amtrak Hub at Chicago Union Station |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra |
- Interstate 90 - Connects Chicago with Seattle, Boston, and regional destinations.
- Interstate 94 - Major route linking Chicago with Milwaukee and Detroit.
- Interstate 55 - Connects Chicago with St. Louis and the Mississippi Valley.
- Interstate 57 - Provides access to southern Illinois and the Gulf Coast corridor.
- Interstate 290 - Main expressway connecting downtown Chicago with western suburbs.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Chicago, Illinois
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Millennium Park | Urban Park |
| Navy Pier | Entertainment Attraction |
| Willis Tower | Skyscraper |
| Art Institute of Chicago | Museum |
| Field Museum | Museum |
| Shedd Aquarium | Aquarium |
| Lincoln Park Zoo | Zoo |
| Wrigley Field | Sports Venue |
| Chicago Riverwalk | Waterfront Attraction |
| Buckingham Fountain | Landmark |
Waterbodies in Chicago, Illinois
Lake Michigan, Chicago River, North Branch Chicago River, South Branch Chicago River, Calumet River, Lake Calumet, Wolf Lake, Jackson Park Lagoon, Ogden Slip, Burnham Harbor
Golf Courses in Chicago, Illinois
Harborside International Golf Center, Jackson Park Golf Course, South Shore Golf Course, Columbus Park Golf Course, Indian Boundary Golf Course, Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course, Billy Caldwell Golf Course, Robert A. Black Golf Course, Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, Ridgemoor Country Club
Economy and Major Employers in Chicago, Illinois
| Sector | Major Employer or Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Finance | Financial and Trading Markets | Home to major futures and options exchanges. |
| Transportation | O'Hare International Airport | One of the busiest airports in the world. |
| Healthcare | Northwestern Medicine | Major healthcare and research employer. |
| Manufacturing | Advanced Manufacturing Industry | Important component of the regional economy. |
| Technology | Technology and Startup Companies | Growing innovation and fintech sector. |
| Education | Universities and Colleges | Supports research and workforce development. |
| Logistics | Distribution and Freight Industry | Benefits from Chicago's central location. |
| Tourism | Hospitality and Entertainment Industry | Major contributor to the local economy. |
Colleges and Universities in Chicago, Illinois
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | Private | University | Research and Nobel Prize-winning scholarship |
| Northwestern University | Private | University | Research, journalism, and medicine |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Public | University | Urban research and healthcare programs |
| DePaul University | Private | University | Largest Catholic university in the United States |
| Loyola University Chicago | Private | University | Jesuit education and research programs |
| Chicago State University | Public | University | Public higher education and community engagement |
Chicago, Illinois - Key Historical Facts
- Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837 and quickly became a major transportation and trading center.
- The city grew rapidly because of its strategic location between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed.
- The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed much of the city and led to one of the largest rebuilding efforts in American history.
- Chicago became a global leader in architecture, pioneering the development of modern skyscrapers.
- The city played a major role in the growth of railroads, manufacturing, and commerce during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
- Today, Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States and a major center for finance, transportation, education, culture, and industry.
Sources
- Official City of Chicago Website
- Cook County Official Website
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- National Weather Service
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