Chicago enjoyed strong economic growth in 2012, reaching pre-recession levels in many measures. In September, the city added nearly 45,000 employed residents over the previous year, ranking it first among all cities nationally for employment growth; this was Chicago’s largest annual gain since April 2000, and it contributed to a 2.5 percentage point drop in the city unemployment rate, the largest annual reduction since January 1995. Additionally, Chicago ranked among the top three cities nationwide for employment growth and unemployment declines for most months of 2012. The region experienced similar growth, led by large gains in the professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing industries.
Download and read the full report: 2012 Business Growth Profile