Is Chicago a State or a City?

Chicago has made a huge impact on American culture, from its skyscraper-filled skyline, birthplace of the world’s first skyscraper, to its world-class cuisine. It also gets asked about more than you’d expect: is Chicago a state, a city, or something else entirely? Here’s the full answer, along with a few facts that might surprise you.

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Chicago at a Glance

City Chicago
County Cook County
State Illinois
Country United States
Continent North America
Population Approximately 2.7 million
Land Area 227.4 sq mi (234 sq mi with water)
State Capital Springfield (not Chicago)
Metro GDP Nearly $895 billion (2023)

What State is Chicago In?

Chicago is a city, not a state, located in Cook County, Illinois, in the northeastern corner of the state along the shore of Lake Michigan. Even though Chicago encompasses a sprawling grid of neighborhoods and has a personality big enough to feel like its own state, it’s officially just one city within Illinois.

Is Chicago a City, Yes or No?

Yes. Chicago is a city, specifically the largest city in the state of Illinois and the third-largest in the United States by population. It is not, and has never been, a U.S. state.

What Country is Chicago In?

Chicago is located in the United States of America, specifically in the state of Illinois, in the region known as the Midwest. It’s on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, one of North America’s Great Lakes. Chicago draws tourists and business travelers from all over the world, and it’s the anchor city of the Chicagoland area, which extends into southeastern Wisconsin and northwestern Indiana.

What is the Population of Chicago?

One simple reason for the bustling economy of Chicago is its large population. Approximately 2.7 million people live in Chicago, which makes it not just the largest city in the state but the third-largest in the entire country. Plus, it is among the top metropolises in the United States.

How Big is Chicago?

Chicago covers 227.4 square miles of land, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, or about 234 square miles when its share of Lake Michigan is included, stretching roughly 25 miles from north to south and 15 miles from east to west along the city’s famous street grid. For a closer comparison to other major cities, see our full breakdown of how big Chicago really is.

What is the Capital of Chicago?

Chicago is not a state, but a city, so it has no capital of its own. And while you might reasonably expect that Chicago is the capital of Illinois, that honor actually goes to the city of Springfield instead.

What’s the Best Way to Experience Chicago?

The economy of Chicago is unlike anything you’ll encounter in the midwest, so it should come as no surprise that it contains worlds of sights and sounds to explore. If you’re new to the area, we recommend doing a little research in advance to help you get the most out of every second of your visit.

  • Whether you want to snap photos in front of the Bean or check out a local taqueria, there are tons of different ways to get around town. Try the elevated subway system, known as the L, or grab a Divvy bike on a sunny day. These low-cost options will make you feel like a local!
  • If you want to catch an unbeatable view of the city skyline, head to the Willis Tower. This is the third-tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere, and it’s home to a glass viewing platform known as the Skydeck, part of a three-in-one Chicago attraction that also includes the Chicago Museum. The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago offers 360-degree views up to 50 miles extending into four different states.
  • Can’t make it out to the city just yet? Check out the Chicago Virtual Tour to preview the Windy City before your next big trip!

What is Chicago’s GDP?

When you add up the value of all goods and services produced in a region, and then subtract the value of the goods and services required for production, what you get is Gross Domestic Product, or GDP. This amount is a useful way to measure the size of a city’s economy.

How does the economy of Chicago compare to the rest of the country? Going by the numbers to determine whether Chicago is a state or city won’t get you very far, since the Chicago metro area’s GDP is actually larger than that of most states! The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area’s GDP totaled nearly $895 billion in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, more than the entire state economies of Washington ($854.7 billion in 2024) or New Jersey (about $846.6 billion in 2024).

A wide range of industries play a major role in the economy of Chicago, including publishing, manufacturing, insurance, transportation, and financial trading, and more than a few Fortune 500 companies are based here in the Windy City.

Why Isn’t Chicago the State Capital?

Chicago isn’t the state capital of Illinois because Springfield was chosen for its central location. In the 1830s, political leaders wanted a capital accessible to more of the state’s population, and Springfield was more geographically central than Chicago, which sits in the far northeastern corner of the state along Lake Michigan.

Is Chicago Still the 3rd Largest City in the US?

Yes. As of the most recent U.S. Census estimates, Chicago remains the third-largest city in the country, following New York City and Los Angeles, with a population of roughly 2.7 million people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago a state or a city?
Chicago is a city, not a state. It is the largest city in the state of Illinois and the third-largest city in the United States.

What is the capital of Illinois?
The capital of Illinois is Springfield, not Chicago, even though Chicago is the state’s largest and most well-known city.

Plan Your Visit to Skydeck Chicago Today!

Now that you know a little more about the midwest’s most famous city, why not experience the breathtaking sights and dynamic economy of Chicago for yourself? No trip to the city is complete without a visit to the Willis Tower, so be sure to contact us at Skydeck with any questions. From advanced tickets to customized Welcome Wall messages, the team at Skydeck is ready to make sure that your visit is unforgettable.