Chicago ranks poorly on economic indicators for Black Americans among major U.S. cities, despite a long history of left-leaning Democratic policies.
Data reveals that Chicago is struggling in areas such as employment, economic growth, income, food stamp utilization, and poverty rates.
Writer Ted Dubrowski notes that these statistics are particularly harsh for the city’s most vulnerable populations.
To start, Chicago has recorded the lowest economic growth rate among the 15 largest cities, with a total GDP growth of just 4%. In contrast, cities like Phoenix and Miami show growth rates exceeding 17%.
While economic growth affects all residents, the situation worsens for Black citizens. Chicago has the highest unemployment rate for this demographic, sitting at 12.3%, significantly above the sub-7% rates in the leading cities.
Moreover, even when employed, Black residents in Chicago earn the least on average. Their annual income hovers around $44,413, while those in the top five metropolitan areas earn over $55,000.
Chicago also stands out for having a high percentage of Black residents relying on food stamps, underscoring the economic challenges faced compared to other cities.
Educational attainment is another area of concern. Graduation rates for Black students in Chicago lag behind those of their White and Latino counterparts. For instance, the graduation rate for Black girls stands at 85%, whereas it drops to 78% for Black boys.
University graduation rates are also worrisome; for example, only 54% of students graduated in 2017.
Chicago has been under Democratic control for more than 90 years, with the last Republican mayor, William H. Thompson, serving in 1931. This long-standing pattern has seen little variation in city leadership.
