Chicago

Smart city ranking
61 Out of 141
56 out of 118 in 2021
BB B in 2021
Factor ratings
BB Structures
BB Technologies
Group
2
All ratings range from AAA to D
City
Population
2,746,388
(UN Data)
HDI
0.929
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.920 0.926 0.920 0.921 +0.001
Life expectancy at birth 78.9 78.9 77.4 77.2 -0.2
Expected years of schooling 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 7.4 7.4 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 56,140 63,826 10,046 10,258 +211

From a list of 15 indicators, survey respondents were asked to select 5 that they perceived as the most urgent for their city. This is the total bar. The higher the percentage of responses per area, the greater the priority for the city.

The left-hand, dark blue section of each bar shows the Alignment, i.e. the proportion of those respondents who also answered the survey on the corresponding area by giving it low priority. A strong Alignment (i.e. consistency across both areas explained) means that these areas may benefit from close observation.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
security
61.7%
affordable housing
61.3%
health services
45.8%
corruption
41.4%
school education
37.8%
unemployment
37.5%
fulfilling employment
33.2%
road congestion
33.1%
air pollution
22.2%
public transport
21.5%
basic amenities
17.5%
social mobility
14.3%
recycling
12.9%
green spaces
12.2%
citizen engagement
11.5%
% of respondents who agree or strongly agree with the statement
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%100%
You are willing to concede personal data in order to improve traffic congestion
52.5%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
62.8%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
50.8%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
72.8%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
51.3
Recycling services are satisfactory
60.5
Public safety is not a problem
28.7
Air pollution is not a problem
34.8
Medical services provision is satisfactory
55.6
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
36.3
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
27.9
Public transport is satisfactory
54.0
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
63.6
Most children have access to a good school
50.1
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
54.5
Businesses are creating new jobs
62.8
Minorities feel welcome
60.4
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
63.0
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
77.1
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
60.1
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
28.1
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
49.3
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
55.3
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
43.8
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
54.1
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
53.7
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
49.4
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
44.7
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
66.0
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
48.7
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
54.1
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
49.2
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
60.8
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
61.5
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
66.1
IT skills are taught well in schools
50.8
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
50.2
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
63.8
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
74.3
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
39.1
Online voting has increased participation
58.6
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
51.6
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
56.8
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City
Population
2,746,388
(UN Data)
HDI
0.929
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.920 0.926 0.920 0.921 +0.001
Life expectancy at birth 78.9 78.9 77.4 77.2 -0.2
Expected years of schooling 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 7.4 7.4 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 56,140 63,826 10,046 10,258 +211

Priority Areas

From a list of 15 indicators, survey respondents were asked to select 5 that they perceived as the most urgent for their city. This is the total bar. The higher the percentage of responses per area, the greater the priority for the city.

The left-hand, dark blue section of each bar shows the Alignment, i.e. the proportion of those respondents who also answered the survey on the corresponding area by giving it low priority. A strong Alignment (i.e. consistency across both areas explained) means that these areas may benefit from close observation.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
security
61.7%
affordable housing
61.3%
health services
45.8%
corruption
41.4%
school education
37.8%
unemployment
37.5%
fulfilling employment
33.2%
road congestion
33.1%
air pollution
22.2%
public transport
21.5%
basic amenities
17.5%
social mobility
14.3%
recycling
12.9%
green spaces
12.2%
citizen engagement
11.5%

Attitudes

% of respondents who agree or strongly agree with the statement
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%100%
You are willing to concede personal data in order to improve traffic congestion
52.5%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
62.8%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
50.8%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
72.8%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
51.3
Recycling services are satisfactory
60.5
Public safety is not a problem
28.7
Air pollution is not a problem
34.8
Medical services provision is satisfactory
55.6
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
36.3
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
27.9
Public transport is satisfactory
54.0
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
63.6
Most children have access to a good school
50.1
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
54.5
Businesses are creating new jobs
62.8
Minorities feel welcome
60.4
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
63.0
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
77.1
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
60.1
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
28.1
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
49.3
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
55.3
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
43.8
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
54.1
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
53.7
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
49.4
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
44.7
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
66.0
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
48.7
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
54.1
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
49.2
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
60.8
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
61.5
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
66.1
IT skills are taught well in schools
50.8
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
50.2
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
63.8
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
74.3
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
39.1
Online voting has increased participation
58.6
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
51.6
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
56.8
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max