Chicago

Extracted Attributes

• Type

  Most populous city in Illinois, Third-most populous city in the United States

• Location

  Western shore of Lake Michigan, Illinois, Midwestern United States

• GDP (2018)

  $689 billion

• County Seat

  Cook County

• Railroad Hub Status

  Nation's railroad hub, 50% of U.S. rail freight passes through

• Traditional Homelands

  Hooc\u0105k (Winnebago/Ho\u2019Chunk), Jiwere (Otoe), Nutachi (Missouria), Baxoje (Iowas); Kiash Matchitiwuk (Menominee); Meshkwahk\u00eeha (Meskwaki); As\u00e2k\u00eewaki (Sauk); Myaamiaki (Miami), Waayaahtanwaki (Wea), and Peeyankih\u0161iaki (Piankashaw); Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo); Inoka (Illini Confederacy); Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe), Odawak (Odawa), and Bod\u00e9wadmik (Potawatomi)

• Tourism Visitors (2018)

  58 million

• Population (2020 Census)

  2,746,388

• Metropolitan Area Population

  9.41 million residents

• Urban Planning Contributions

  Chicago School, City Beautiful movement, steel-framed skyscraper development

• Finance Derivatives Market Status

  World's largest and most diverse, generating 20% of all volume in commodities and financial futures

• Tourism Visitors (2024 Projection)

  55 million

• O'Hare International Airport Ranking

  Routinely among the world's top ten busiest airports by passenger traffic

Timeline

• Jean Baptiste Point du Sable becomes the first non-indigenous settler in the Chicago area (sometime between 1784-1788). (Source: web search)

  1784-01-01

• Fort Dearborn is established near the mouth of the Chicago River. (Source: web search)

  1803-01-01

• Chicago becomes part of the Territory of Illinois. (Source: web search)

  1809-02-09

• Fort Dearborn is taken by the British during the war; private homes in Chicago reduce from 15 to 4. (Source: web search)

  1812-01-01

• Illinois becomes the 21st state in the union. (Source: web search)

  1818-12-03

• The Illinois General Assembly creates Cook County, designating Chicago as the county seat. (Source: web search)

  1831-01-15

• The Town of Chicago is incorporated with a population of no more than 200 people. (Source: web search)

  1833-08-01

• Chicago is incorporated as a city. (Source: Summary, Wikipedia, DBPedia)

  1837-01-01

• Chicago is the 92nd city in the United States by population. (Source: web search)

  1840-01-01

• Completion of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, introduction of first steam locomotives and steam-powered grain elevators, arrival of the telegraph, and founding of the Chicago Board of Trade. (Source: web search)

  1848-01-01

• Cyrus McCormick relocates his harvesting machine factory to Chicago. (Source: web search)

  1848-01-01

• Cholera epidemic kills 60 residents daily during summer, resulting in 6% of the city's population dying. (Source: web search)

  1854-01-01

• The city council decides to elevate the entire city by four to five feet to combat flooding. (Source: web search)

  1856-01-01

• Chicago becomes the largest city in what was then called the Northwest. (Source: web search)

  1857-01-01

• Chicago becomes the youngest U.S. city to exceed a population of 100,000. (Source: DBPedia)

  1860-01-01

• The Great Chicago Fire destroys several square miles and leaves over 100,000 homeless. (Source: Summary, Wikipedia, DBPedia)

  1871-01-01

• Chicago's population grows from 299,000 to nearly 1.7 million between 1870 and 1900, becoming the fastest-growing city in world history during this period. (Source: web search)

  1870-01-01

• The Chicago metropolitan area generates a GDP of $689 billion. (Source: Summary, Wikipedia, DBPedia)

  2018-01-01

• Chicago records 58 million tourist visitors. (Source: DBPedia)

  2018-01-01

• Population reaches 2,746,388 according to the census. (Source: Wikipedia, DBPedia)

  2020-01-01

• Chicago is projected to attract 55 million visitors. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2024-01-01

• The National Guard is deployed to Chicago to support ICE operations, an action opposed by local leaders JB Pritsker and Brandon Johnson. (Source: related_documents)

  2023-01-01

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 with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census, while the Chicago metropolitan area has 9.41 million residents and is the third-largest metropolitan area in the nation. Chicago is the seat of Cook County, the second-most populous county in the United States. 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, and the steel-framed skyscraper. 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 is routinely ranked among the world's top ten busiest airports by passenger traffic, and the region is also the nation's railroad hub. The Chicago area has one of the highest gross domestic products (GDP) of any urban region in the world, generating $689 billion in 2018. Chicago's economy is diverse, with no single industry employing more than 14% of the workforce. Chicago is a major destination for tourism, with 55 million visitors in 2024 to its cultural institutions, Lake Michigan beaches, restaurants, and more. Chicago's culture has contributed much to the visual arts, literature, film, theater, comedy (especially improvisational comedy), food, dance, and music (particularly jazz, blues, soul, hip-hop, gospel, and electronic dance music, including house music). Chicago is home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, while the Art Institute of Chicago provides an influential visual arts museum and art school. The Chicago area also hosts the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois Chicago, among other institutions of learning. 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.

Web Search Results

• Chicago History

  Chicago is the traditional homelands of Hoocąk (Winnebago/Ho’Chunk), Jiwere (Otoe), Nutachi (Missouria), and Baxoje (Iowas); Kiash Matchitiwuk (Menominee); Meshkwahkîha (Meskwaki); Asâkîwaki (Sauk); Myaamiaki (Miami), Waayaahtanwaki (Wea), and Peeyankihšiaki (Piankashaw); Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo); Inoka (Illini Confederacy); Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe), Odawak (Odawa), and Bodéwadmik (Potawatomi). Seated atop a continental divide, the Chicago region is located at the intersection of several great [...] Incorporated as a city in 1837, Chicago was ideally situated to take advantage of the trading possibilities created by the nation’s westward expansion. The completion of theIllinois & Michigan Canalin 1848 created a water link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, but the canal was soon rendered obsolete by railroads. Today, 50 percent of U.S. rail freight continues to pass through Chicago, even as the city has become the nation’s busiest aviation center, thanks toO’Hare and Midway [...] Chicago was only 46 years old when Mark Twain wrote those words, but it had already grown more than 100-fold, from a small trading post at the mouth of the Chicago River into one of the nation’s largest cities, and it wasn’t about to stop. Over the next 20 years, it would quadruple in population, amazing the rest of the world with its ability to repeatedly reinvent itself. And it still hasn’t stopped.

• History of Chicago - Wikipedia

  In 1840, Chicago was the 92nd city in the United States by population. Its population grew so rapidly that 20 years later, it was the ninth city. In the pivotal year of 1848, Chicago saw the completion of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, its first steam locomotives, the introduction of steam-powered grain elevators, the arrival of the telegraph, and the founding of the Chicago Board of Trade. By 1857, Chicago was the largest city in what was then called the Northwest. In 20 years, Chicago grew [...] By 1870, Chicago had grown to become the nation's second-largest city and one of the largest cities in the world. Between 1870 and 1900, Chicago grew from a city of 299,000 to nearly 1.7 million and was the fastest-growing city in world history. Chicago's flourishing economy attracted huge numbers of new immigrants from Eastern and Central Europe, especially Jews, Poles, and Italians, along with many smaller groups. Many businesspeople and professionals arrived from the eastern states. [...] Travelers reported Chicago was the filthiest city in America. The city created a massive sewer system. In the first phase, sewage pipes were laid across the city above ground and used gravity to move the waste. The city was built in a low-lying area subject to flooding. In 1856, the city council decided that the entire city should be elevated four to five feet by using a newly available jacking-up process. In one instance, the five-story Brigg's Hotel, weighing 22,000 tons, was lifted while it

• Tourism in Chicago - Wikipedia

  Navy Pier, east of Streeterville, contains retail, restaurants, museums, exhibition halls and auditoriums. Its 15-story Ferris wheel is among the most visited landmarks with about 8 million visitors each year. The city's Museum Campus, holds: the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Shedd Aquarium. The Museum Campus accesses the Art Institute of Chicago in Grant Park. The Museum of Science and Industry is also a leading attraction. [...] Major conventions are held at McCormick Place. The historic Chicago Cultural Center (1897) serves as the city's Visitor Information Center. Tourists will find sites of interest in Grant Park which contains Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain (1927), and the Art Institute of Chicago. Millennium Park's Cloud Gate sculpture and fountain's two towers incorporate LED facial images. Events such as the Grant Park Music Festival take place in the city. Chicago performing arts venues include the Harris [...] Tourism in Chicago Tourism in Chicago draws on the city's architecture, museums, restaurants, sports, parks and beaches, theater and wide variety of neighborhood attractions. In 2017, Millennium Park alone saw 25 million visitors, making it the top tourist destination in the Midwest and among the top ten in the United States.

• Timeline: Early Chicago History | American Experience - PBS

  1836 William Butler Ogden comes to Chicago to make his fortune. He had first visited the town a year earlier while administrating a land purchase made by his brother-in-law. 1848 Cyrus McCormick relocates his harvesting machine factory to Chicago, closer to the breadbasket of the nation. 1854 Cholera kills 60 residents every summer day in Chicago. Six percent of the city's human population dies from the disease, spread through polluted water. [...] 1812 Before the war, 15 private homes exist in Chicago; after war is declared and Fort Dearborn is taken by the British, only four will remain. 1818 December 3: Illinois becomes the 21st state in the union. 1831 January 15: the Illinois General Assembly creates Cook County, with Chicago as the county seat. 1833 August: the Town of Chicago is incorporated. The population totals no more than 200 people. [...] 1784-1788 Sometime during these years, fur trader Jean Baptiste Point du Sable becomes the first settler in the Chicago area. 1803 Secretary of War Henry Dearborn orders a survey of the Chicago River to find a site suitable for a military post. Fort Dearborn is established near the mouth of the river by year's end. Five families own homes in the town. 1809 February 9: Chicago becomes part of the Territory of Illinois.

• THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Chicago (2025) - Must-See Attractions

  Visited May 2025 Traveled on business Written May 15, 2025 Kristy P Republic, Missouri 8 contributions Lots of unique exhibits and positive affirmations. It would be great for groups of friends or a family event! [...] per adult Bite into Chicago: Discover the City’s Most Iconic Food 4.9 (53) Private and Luxury from $77 per adult (price varies by group size) River North Food Walking Tour 4.7 (74) Culinary Tours from $89 per adult Deep Dish Cooking Class at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago 4.7 (10) Cooking Classes from $59 per adult Fortune Reading with Cheese in Chicago 5.0 (1) Cooking Classes from $65 [...] Historic urban stretch renowned for its blend of iconic skyscrapers, upscale shopping, and dining. Seasonal ambiance with notable architecture and evening allure.

• Award

  Academy Award for Best Sound

• Instance Of

  Q11424

Chicago (/ʃɪˈkɑːɡoʊ/ shih-KAH-goh, locally also /ʃɪˈkɔːɡoʊ/ shih-KAW-goh) 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. With a population of 2,746,388 in the 2020 census, it is also the most populous city in the Midwestern United States. As the seat of Cook County (the second-most populous U.S. county), the city is the center of the Chicago metropolitan area, one of the largest in the world. On the shore of Lake Michigan, 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; by 1860, Chicago was the youngest U.S. city to exceed a population of 100,000. The Great Chicago Fire in 1871 destroyed several square miles and left more than 100,000 homeless, but Chicago's population continued to grow to 503,000 by 1880 and then doubled to more than a million within the decade. The construction boom accelerated population growth throughout the following decades, and by 1900, less than 30 years after the fire, Chicago was the fifth-largest city in the world. 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). Chicago is an international hub for finance, culture, commerce, industry, education, technology, telecommunications, and transportation. It is the site of the creation of the first standardized futures contracts, issued by the Chicago Board of Trade, which today is part of the largest and most diverse derivatives market in the world, generating 20% of all volume in commodities and financial futures alone. O'Hare International Airport is routinely ranked among the world's top six busiest airports according to tracked data by the Airports Council International. The region also has the largest number of federal highways and is the nation's railroad hub. The Chicago area has one of the highest gross domestic products (GDP) in the world, generating $689 billion in 2018. The economy of Chicago is diverse, with no single industry employing more than 14% of the workforce. It is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Archer Daniels Midland, Conagra Brands, Exelon, JLL, Kraft Heinz, McDonald's, Mondelez International, Motorola Solutions, Sears, and United Airlines Holdings. Chicago's 58 million tourist visitors in 2018 set a new record. Landmarks in the city include Millennium Park, Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum Campus, the Willis (Sears) Tower, Grant Park, the Museum of Science and Industry, and Lincoln Park Zoo. Chicago is also home to the Barack Obama Presidential Center being built in Hyde Park on the city's South Side. Chicago's culture includes the visual arts, literature, film, theater, comedy (especially improvisational comedy), food, dance (including modern dance and jazz troupes and the Joffrey Ballet), and music (particularly jazz, blues, soul, hip-hop, gospel, and electronic dance music, including house music). Chicago is also the location of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Of the area's colleges and universities, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago are classified as "highest research" doctoral universities. Chicago has professional sports teams in each of the major professional leagues, including two Major League Baseball teams.