Department of Numbers

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Chicago rose 0.1 percentage points in November 2023 to 4.7%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.0 percentage points lower than the Illinois rate. The unemployment rate in Chicago peaked in April 2020 at 18.7% and is now 14.0 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.9% in May 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.8 percentage points. You can also compare Chicago unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate November 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.7% -0.1 +0.1
Illinois 4.7% +0.1 +0.1
Chicago 4.7% +0.1 +0.1
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with November 2023 data as December metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Chicago, Illinois, National

Chicago, Illinois monthly unemployment rate chart

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Chicago, Illinois Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Chicago peaked in April 2020 at 901,755. There are now 670,872 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 190,753 in July 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 40,130. Chicago employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Chicago, Illinois) is also available.

Unemployed Persons November 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Chicago 230,883 +6,676 +1,405

Number of Unemployed Persons

Chicago, Illinois Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Illinois
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
Unemployed
December
2023
3.7%
November
2023
3.7% 4.7% 4.7% 230,883
October
2023
3.8% 4.6% 4.6% 224,207
September
2023
3.8% 4.4% 4.4% 215,281
August
2023
3.8% 4.1% 4.1% 202,650
July
2023
3.5% 4.0% 3.9% 190,753
June
2023
3.6% 4.0% 3.9% 192,195
May
2023
3.7% 4.1% 3.9% 195,156
April
2023
3.4% 4.2% 4.1% 202,129
March
2023
3.5% 4.4% 4.3% 211,315
February
2023
3.6% 4.5% 4.4% 216,025
January
2023
3.4% 4.5% 4.5% 223,947

1. Metro area unemployment rates are now seasonally adjusted. The BLS has started publishing smoothed seasonally adjusted metropolitan area data which makes comparisons to state and national data more relevant than the unadjusted numbers.