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 Sunniest 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 10.8%

2 University Park 10.7%

3 Glenwood 10.5%

4 Sauk Village 9.4%

5 Hazel Crest 9.1%

6 Park City 8.7%

7 Riverdale 8.6%

8 Winthrop Harbor 8.2%

9 Richton Park 8.1%

10 Blue Island 7.8%

11 Chicago Heights 7.6%

12 West Frankfort 7.6%

13 East St. Louis 7.5%

14 Harvey 7.5%

15 Worth 7.5%

16 Macomb 7.4%

17 West Chicago 7.4%

18 DeKalb 7.2%

19 Flossmoor 7.0%

20 Matteson 6.9%

21 Dolton 6.4%

22 Lansing 6.4%

23 Markham 6.4%

24 South Holland 6.2%

25 Calumet City 6.0%

26 Centralia 5.8%

27 Marengo 5.8%

28 Cahokia Heights 5.7%

29 Beach Park 5.6%

30 Antioch 5.5%

31 Round Lake Beach 5.5%

32 Frankfort Square 5.5%

33 Spring Grove 5.5%

34 Roselle 5.4%

35 Chicago 5.3%

36 Rochelle 5.3%

37 Rockford 5.2%

38 Mount Vernon 5.1%

39 Carbondale 5.1%

40 Bridgeview 5.1%

41 Loves Park 5.1%

42 Channahon 5.1%

43 Gages Lake 5.1%

44 Pontoon Beach 5.1%

45 Mattoon 5.1%

46 Alsip 5.0%

47 Decatur 5.0%

48 Burbank 5.0%

49 Peoria 4.9%

50 Oak Brook 4.9%

51 Country Club Hills 4.9%

52 Streator 4.9%

53 Bellwood 4.9%

54 Island Lake 4.9%

55 Round Lake 4.8%

56 South Beloit 4.8%

57 Maryville 4.8%

58 Lindenhurst 4.8%

59 Carpentersville 4.7%

60 Broadview 4.7%

61 Belvidere 4.7%

62 Homewood 4.6%

63 Harvard 4.6%

64 Park Forest 4.6%

65 Lake in the Hills 4.6%

66 Danville 4.6%

67 Princeton 4.6%

68 Zion 4.6%

69 Du Quoin 4.5%

70 Norridge 4.5%

71 Monmouth 4.5%

72 Genoa 4.5%

73 Elmwood Park 4.5%

74 Elgin 4.4%

75 Crete 4.4%

76 Justice 4.4%

77 Maywood 4.4%

78 Lake Holiday 4.4%

79 Aurora 4.3%

80 Berwyn 4.3%

81 Crestwood 4.3%

82 Highwood 4.3%

83 Harrisburg 4.2%

84 Moline 4.2%

85 Lake Villa 4.2%

86 Grayslake 4.2%

87 North Aurora 4.2%

88 River Forest 4.2%

89 Round Lake Park 4.2%

90 Kankakee 4.2%

91 Machesney Park 4.1%

92 Tinley Park 4.1%

93 Hoopeston 4.1%

94 Campton Hills 4.1%

95 Pekin 4.1%

96 Joliet 4.0%

97 Springfield 4.0%

98 Evanston 4.0%

99 Posen 4.0%

100 Beardstown 4.0%

Cities with the highest unemployment rates in Illinois face significant economic challenges. Calumet Park has an unemployment rate of 10.8%. 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 9 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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