* 2/26/26 - World Business Chicago - The data and rankings to back up what you already know.....................
Buzz Sawyer
from article:
"As the world grapples with tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, and rapidly shifting supply chains,
Chicagoland continues to show why it is the most economically diverse, best-connected,
This week’s World Business Chicago Business Pulse, powered by LinkedIn, highlights the data behind the "reasons why."
Neither slogan or sentiment—these are measurable indicators of the region’s strength."
The data and rankings to back up what you already know.
As the world grapples with tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, and rapidly shifting supply chains, Chicagoland continues to show why it is the most economically diverse, best-connected, and opportunity-rich region in the United States.
"When volatility disrupts other markets, Chicago’s diversity becomes its stabilizer — keeping companies anchored, talent flowing, and growth moving forward."
This week’s World Business Chicago Business Pulse, powered by LinkedIn, highlights the data behind the "reasons why." Neither slogan or sentiment—these are measurable indicators of the region’s strength.
And, they nicely align directly with the pillars of Chicago 2050, our long-term economic plan for growth and jobs.
Link to download Chicago 2050 | A Plan for Economic Growth & Jobs
The data points and list below were curated by the World Business Chicago Research Center, a team dedicated to giving the Chicagoland region the facts, data, and sources that justify our bravado — and our well-earned chest-pumping.
"It’s time to shed a bit of that Midwestern modesty and lean into the numbers that convince anyone, anywhere, that Chicago is where business not only belongs, but thrives."
Chicago Leads in the Fundamentals That Drive Business Decisions
Chicagoland continues to outperform major U.S. metros in categories that shape long-term competitiveness:
# 1 Metro for Corporate Relocations and Expansions. As of March, 2025, Chicagoland enjoyed twelve consecutive years at the top, powered by talent depth, central geography, and unmatched access to customers and suppliers throughout North America.
#1 Most Diversified Economy. No single industry accounts for more than 13% of the region’s economy. A diversified economy means resilience—and a powerful B2B customer base that spans manufacturing, healthcare, finance, logistics, tech, and food innovation.
#1 Port By Trade Value. O’Hare International Airport handled $423 billion in trade in 2025—43% more than the previous year—ranking as the nation’s top port by value. O’Hare is the #1 trade destination for the EU (including Ireland, Germany, Italy, Denmark, and Hungary) as well as India and Thailand.
#1 Airport by Flight Originations. With 369,810 flights originating at O’Hare (through November 2025)—and 440,395 flights combined between O’Hare and Midway—Chicago remains one of the world’s most connected cities.
Where Chicago’s Workforce Dominates
"Chicago leads the nation across critical occupations."
#1 Metro for Employment in Key Occupations
- Metals & Plastic Workers (55,368 in 2026)
- Production Supervisors (22,598)
- Printing Workers (10,293)
- Food Processing Workers – Miscellaneous (12,038) & Butchers/Meat Processors (11,719)
- Crushing, Grinding, Polishing, Mixing, Blending Workers (6,462)
- Legislators (2,869)
- Misc. Mathematical Science Occupations (1,365)
- Nuclear Technicians (445)
- Hoist & Winch Operators (264)
#2 Metro for Employment in Additional Key Occupations
- Rail Transportation Workers (6,743 in 2026)
- Production Occupations (292,724)
- PreK–12 Teachers (141,497)
- Firefighting & Prevention Workers (11,240)
A Hub for High-Value Industries
"Chicago’s industry mix continues to distinguish it from peer regions."
#1 U.S. Metro by Industry Employment
- Food Manufacturing (72K in 2025)
- Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (17,986 in 2026)
- Trucking (66,603 in 2026)
- Primary & Fabricated Metals Manufacturing (79,199 in 2026)
#2 U.S. Metro by Industry Employment
- All Manufacturing (404K in 2025)
- All Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (266,570 in 2026)
- Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Related Financial Investments (55,295)
#1 Metro for Industrial Real Estate Inventory
More than 1.17 billion square feet of industrial space—230 million more than Los Angeles, the next closest market.
Anchor Institutions That Accelerate Innovation and Talent
"These institutions fuel Chicago’s talent engine and support the employers who rely on it."
- The University of Chicago ranks #1 in the U.S. for quantum research output, according to Nature Magazine.
- Chicago is #2 in post-secondary healthcare completions (39,893 in 2024) and home to the largest medical district in the U.S.
- The region ranks #2 for Fortune 500 headquarters (30 companies).
- Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management ranks #2 among U.S. business schools; University of Chicago Booth ranks #4, and University of Chicago Law School ranks #3.
Why Chicago Leads & Why We Always Will
As we head into March 4, the 189th birthday of Chicago, it’s worth remembering who we are and where we come from.
Ours is a city founded by a Black Haitian immigrant, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, and a Potawatomi woman, Kitihawa — two visionaries whose partnership created the commercial outpost that grew into one of the world’s great economic centers. Chicago was born from big ideas, collaboration, and ambition. This in our DNA.
We also became known as the “second city" not because we were second-best, but because we literally rebuilt a second city on top of the one that burned. Few places on earth can claim that level of resilience and reinvention.
And, of course, Daniel Burnham’s reminder to “make no little plans” continues to shape how Chicago moves — boldly, creatively, and at scale.
So the next time your second cousin, old roommate, or former colleague from out of state takes a swipe at Chicago from the sidelines, go ahead and throw down this fact:
Chicago has everything anyone needs to live, work, build, invest, and thrive: Talent. Connectivity. Industry. Innovation. Culture. Momentum. And the rankings to back it up.
Because Chicago doesn’t just talk about potential — Chicago owns it.
Chicago has collected more monikers, nicknames and titles than just about any city in the country — and honestly, we’ve earned every one of them.
Chicago: 10 Names, Nicknames & Cultural Shorthands
- The Windy City
- City of Big Shoulders
- The Second City (historical, ironic, and proudly reclaimed)
- The City of Neighborhoods
- The Best Big City in America
- Home of The Bear
- Four-Star Flag Nation (the “if you know, you know” club)
- Tavern-Style Pizza Origin/Founder
- The Logistics & Trade Hub of North America
- The Most Economically Diverse City in the U.S. — truly Second to None.
Chicagoans wear our nicknames with the same pride we wear the four-star flag — on jackets, on buildings, even tattooed on our skin. It’s more than a symbol; it’s a club.
- #IYKYK
- Each name reflects who we are: bold, resilient, welcoming, hardworking, creative, ambitious — and always ready to prove what’s possible.