Chicago has one of the largest and most diverse economies in the U.S. The metro area’s gross regional product was about $927 billion in 2024, roughly third among U.S. metros, and no single sector makes up more than 13% of it. The region had 30 Fortune 500 headquarters in 2026, second only to New York.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Gross regional product (2024) | About $927 billion |
| U.S. metro economy rank | 3rd largest |
| Largest single sector share | No sector above 13% of GDP |
| Labor force | About 5 million workers |
| Businesses in the metro | 249,612 (4th among U.S. regions) |
| Fortune 500 headquarters (metro, 2026) | 30, second after New York (49) |
| Business expansions and relocations (2025) | 223, a record |
| Largest private employer | Amazon |
| O’Hare aircraft operations (2025) | 857,392, most of any U.S. airport |
Key industries
Chicago’s economy is spread across many sectors rather than built on one. According to the January 2026 Chicago Business Climate Snapshot, professional and business services produce about $141 billion in output, manufacturing about $99 billion, and finance and insurance about $79 billion.
| Sector | Approximate output (2024–2025) |
|---|---|
| Professional and business services | $141 billion |
| Manufacturing | $99 billion |
| Finance and insurance | $79 billion |
Transportation and tourism are other pillars, covered below. In 2025, companies in the region raised about $6 billion in growth capital in areas including AI, fintech and clean technology, according to World Business Chicago.
Fortune 500 headquarters
The Chicago metro had 30 Fortune 500 headquarters in 2026, the second-most of any U.S. market after New York’s 49 and ahead of Houston’s 26, according to RealPage. Many are in the suburbs; the companies below list Chicago city addresses on the 2026 list, according to US500’s tally.
| 2026 Fortune rank | Company | Industry |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | Archer Daniels Midland | Agricultural processing |
| 81 | United Airlines Holdings | Airline |
| 122 | Mondelez International | Snack foods |
| 170 | McDonald’s | Restaurants |
| 175 | Jones Lang LaSalle | Commercial real estate services |
| 184 | Kraft Heinz | Packaged foods |
| 189 | Exelon | Electric utility |
| 217 | GE HealthCare Technologies | Medical technology |
| 317 | Northern Trust | Banking and wealth management |
| 378 | Motorola Solutions | Communications technology |
| 381 | Conagra Brands | Packaged foods |
| 390 | Molson Coors Beverage | Beverages |
| 439 | Old Republic International | Insurance |
Chicago has been named the top U.S. metro for corporate relocation and expansion for 13 consecutive years, and the region recorded a record 223 business expansions, relocations and new market entries in 2025, according to World Business Chicago.
Largest employers
Amazon is the Chicago area’s largest private-sector employer by headcount, according to the January 2026 Chicago Business Climate Snapshot. In 2022, Crain’s reported that Amazon had passed Advocate Aurora Health for the top spot.
The City of Chicago’s annual financial reports listed Amazon as the city’s top non-government employer in 2021 and 2022.
Finance: the exchanges and LaSalle Street
Chicago is a global center for futures and options trading. CME Group, headquartered at 20 S. Wacker Drive, is described as the world’s largest financial derivatives exchange. It owns the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the Chicago Board of Trade, NYMEX and COMEX.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1848 | Chicago Board of Trade founded |
| 1898 | Chicago Mercantile Exchange founded |
| 2007 | CME and CBOT merge |
| 2008 | CME Group acquires NYMEX |
LaSalle Street in the Loop, often called Chicago’s Wall Street, is home to the Chicago Board of Trade building and the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 bank, is also headquartered in the city.
O’Hare, Midway and logistics
O’Hare International Airport was the busiest U.S. airport by aircraft operations in 2025, with 857,392 takeoffs and landings in preliminary FAA data, passing Atlanta for the first time since 2019. Midway International Airport handled 210,930 operations. United Airlines is headquartered in Chicago.
O’Hare is also a major cargo gateway. It ranked as the second-largest U.S. port by trade value as of September 2025, with $293.4 billion in trade year to date, up 22% from the prior year. See Chicago airports for traveler information.
The city’s transit system supports the downtown economy. The CTA runs the nation’s second-largest public transportation system, with more than 450 million bus and train rides in an average year.
Tourism and conventions
Visitors are a large part of the economy. The downtown business district has 135 hotels with 43,881 rooms, and Chicagoland has more than 7,300 restaurants and more than 160 breweries, according to Choose Chicago. The city also has more than 60 museums and more than 200 theaters.
Jobs and the labor market
The Chicago region’s labor force is about 5 million workers, larger than the labor force of 41 states. The Chicago metro unemployment rate averaged 5.2% in 2024, compared with 5.0% for Illinois and 4.0% nationally, according to the city’s 2024 financial report. For what it costs to live here, see cost of living in Chicago.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Chicago’s economy?
The Chicago metro’s gross regional product was about $927 billion in 2024, making it the third-largest metro economy in the U.S.
How many Fortune 500 companies are in Chicago?
The Chicago metro had 30 Fortune 500 headquarters in 2026, second after New York. Thirteen of them list addresses in the city itself, including ADM, United Airlines, McDonald’s and Kraft Heinz.
What is the largest employer in Chicago?
Amazon is the Chicago region’s largest private-sector employer by headcount, according to the January 2026 Chicago Business Climate Snapshot.
What are Chicago’s main industries?
Professional and business services, manufacturing, and finance and insurance are the largest sectors by output. Transportation and tourism are also major parts of the economy.
Is O’Hare the busiest airport in the U.S.?
By aircraft operations, yes: O’Hare had 857,392 takeoffs and landings in 2025, the most of any U.S. airport. Atlanta had more passengers.
What exchanges are based in Chicago?
CME Group, which owns the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Chicago Board of Trade, is headquartered in Chicago. The Chicago Board Options Exchange is on LaSalle Street.
Related guides
- Chicago at a glance
- Cost of living in Chicago
- Moving to Chicago
- O’Hare and Midway airports
- The Loop
- Fulton Market
Sources
- Chicago Business Climate Snapshot, January 2026 (via Chicago Association of Realtors)
- Report on World Business Chicago’s State of the Economy (2025)
- RealPage Analytics: Markets with the most Fortune 500 headquarters in 2026
- US500: Fortune 500 companies in Chicago (updated June 2026)
- Wirepoints summary of Crain’s: Chicago’s biggest private employer
- The Daily Line: Amazon holds as Chicago’s top non-government employer
- Wikipedia: CME Group
- Britannica: The Loop
- Report on 2025 FAA airport operations data: O’Hare busiest U.S. airport by operations
- Choose Chicago: Chicago Facts (press toolkit)
- City of Chicago: 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
Last updated: October 31, 2026