Highest Unemployment in Illinois

Top 100 cities ranked by highest unemployment

Best Illinois Cities

Composite rankings combining multiple weighted metrics, 4 topics from climate and air quality data.

Best Climate Cities

Warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine and clean air.

Cleanest Air Cities

Lowest pollution levels for healthy outdoor living.

Sunniest Cities

Most days of sunshine per year, with warm and dry climate.

Most Urban Cities

Densely populated city centers with the largest urban footprints.

Population & Density

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense

Economy

Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Wages Cheapest Cost of Living

Housing

Highest Home Value Most Affordable Highest Rent Lowest Rent Highest Homeownership Newest Housing Lowest Property Tax

Demographics & Education

Most Educated Best Schools Most Graduate Degrees Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Most Veterans

Health & Safety

Safest Cities Highest Crime Healthiest Cities Lowest Smoking Best Doctor Access Best Dental Access

Climate & Air

Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities Snowiest Cities Cleanest Air Worst Air Quality

Quality of Life

Shortest Commute Most Work From Home

Civic & Politics

Most Republican Most Democratic

Geography & Infrastructure

Highest Elevation Best Broadband Most EV Stations Most Libraries Most Restaurants

All Countries · United States · Illinois

Highest Unemployment - Illinois

1 Calumet Park 17.2%

2 Glenwood 16.5%

3 University Park 16.2%

4 East St. Louis 15.3%

5 Hazel Crest 14.7%

6 Sauk Village 14.6%

7 Riverdale 14.1%

8 Harvey 12.9%

9 Winthrop Harbor 12.9%

10 West Frankfort 12.7%

11 Chicago Heights 12.7%

12 Macomb 12.1%

13 Richton Park 12.0%

14 Park City 11.9%

15 Blue Island 11.7%

16 Worth 11.4%

17 Dolton 10.9%

18 Centralia 10.6%

19 Flossmoor 10.6%

20 Du Quoin 10.6%

21 DeKalb 10.6%

22 Matteson 10.6%

23 Markham 10.4%

24 West Chicago 10.2%

25 South Holland 10.1%

26 Lansing 9.8%

27 Oak Brook 9.7%

28 Calumet City 9.4%

29 Cahokia Heights 9.3%

30 Carbondale 9.3%

31 Decatur 8.9%

32 Beach Park 8.9%

33 Danville 8.9%

34 Marengo 8.8%

35 North Chicago 8.7%

36 Mattoon 8.7%

37 Spring Grove 8.7%

38 Rockford 8.6%

39 Bridgeview 8.5%

40 Round Lake Park 8.4%

41 Mount Vernon 8.2%

42 Streator 8.0%

43 Chicago 7.9%

44 Country Club Hills 7.9%

45 Peoria 7.8%

46 Pontoon Beach 7.8%

47 Harrisburg 7.8%

48 Maywood 7.8%

49 Loves Park 7.8%

50 Broadview 7.8%

51 Princeton 7.7%

52 Hoopeston 7.7%

53 Bellwood 7.7%

54 Antioch 7.7%

55 Burbank 7.7%

56 Rochelle 7.7%

57 Roselle 7.7%

58 Crestwood 7.6%

59 Alsip 7.6%

60 Maryville 7.5%

61 Norridge 7.5%

62 Frankfort Square 7.4%

63 Round Lake Beach 7.4%

64 Kankakee 7.3%

65 Monmouth 7.2%

66 Park Forest 7.2%

67 Canton 7.2%

68 Homewood 7.1%

69 Channahon 7.1%

70 Belvidere 7.1%

71 Crete 7.1%

72 Gages Lake 7.0%

73 Summit 7.0%

74 Robinson 6.9%

75 River Forest 6.8%

76 Pekin 6.8%

77 Pana 6.8%

78 Elmwood Park 6.8%

79 Springfield 6.7%

80 Jacksonville 6.7%

81 Island Lake 6.7%

82 Zion 6.7%

83 Moline 6.6%

84 Niles 6.6%

85 Beardstown 6.6%

86 South Beloit 6.5%

87 Lake Holiday 6.5%

88 Rock Island 6.5%

89 Lindenhurst 6.4%

90 Vandalia 6.4%

91 Kewanee 6.4%

92 Lake Villa 6.4%

93 Olney 6.4%

94 Round Lake 6.4%

95 Granite City 6.4%

96 Litchfield 6.4%

97 Machesney Park 6.3%

98 Evanston 6.3%

99 Carpentersville 6.3%

100 Harvard 6.3%

Cities with the highest unemployment rates in Illinois face significant economic challenges. Calumet Park has an unemployment rate of 17.2%. These communities often struggle with limited job opportunities, industry decline, or seasonal employment patterns.

High unemployment can have cascading effects on a community, including reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues, and increased demand for social services. Understanding the causes - whether structural, cyclical, or seasonal - is important for developing effective solutions.

Many cities with high unemployment are actively working to diversify their economies, attract new industries, and invest in workforce development programs to help residents gain skills for in-demand occupations.

Did You Know?

1. In Calumet Park, about 1 in 6 workers is looking for a job.
2. Seasonal economies (tourism, agriculture) can cause unemployment rates to fluctuate dramatically throughout the year.
3. Many high-unemployment cities have seen improvement through targeted economic development and workforce training programs.

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