Atlas of Urban Expansion

Population

The Population of Chicago in 2014 was 8,913,778, increasing at an average annual rate of 0.4% since 2001. The population of Chicago in 2001 was 8,509,731, increasing at an average annual rate of 1.2% since 1989, when its population was 7,325,015.

Urban Extent

The Urban Extent of Chicago in 2014 was 700,838 hectares, increasing at an average annual rate of 0.8% since 2001. The urban extent in 2001 was 629,852 hectares, increasing at an average annual rate of 2.3% since 1989, when its urban extent was 477,133 hectares.

• 1989
• 2001
• 2014

•  
• Urban Extent
• Urban Built-up
• Suburban Built-up
• Rural Built-up
• Urbanized Open Space
•  
• Exurban Area
• Exurban Built-Up Area
• Exurban Open Space
•  
• Rural Open Space
• Rural Open Space

Density

Built-up Area Density in Chicago in 2014 was 17 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -0.6% since 2001. The built-up area density in 2001 was 19 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -1.1% since 1989 when the built-up area density was 21.51 persons per hectare.

The Urban Extent Density in Chicago in 2014 was 13 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -0.5% since 2001. The urban extent density in 2001 was 14 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -1% since 1989 when the urban extent density was 15 persons per hectare.

Composition of Added Area

A total of 59,804 hectares of built-up area was added to the Chicago urban extent between 2001 and 2014. Of that added built-up area, 47% was Infill, 25% was Extension, 1% was Leapfrog, and 27% was Inclusion. A total of 111,489 hectares of built-up area was added to the urban extent between 1989 and 2001. Of that added built-up area, 43% was Infill, 34% was Extension, 0% was Leapfrog, and 23% was Inclusion.

• 1989–2001
• 2001–2014

• Built-up Area
  1989
• Infill
• Extension
• Leapfrog
• Inclusion

Roads

Average road width in the Chicago 1990-2014 expansion area was 10.05 meters, compared to 11.64 meters in its pre-1990 area.

The share of built-up area in Chicago occupied by roads in the 1990-2014 expansion area was 25%, compared to 27% in the pre-1990 area.

• Pre 1990
• 1990 – 2014

Arterial Roads

The density of arterial roads in Chicago's 1990-2014 expansion was 1.41 km/km2, compared to 1.41 km/km2 in its pre-1990 area.

The share of built-up area within walking distance of an arterial road in Chicago's 1990-2014 expansion area was 92%, compared to 93% in the pre-1990 area.

• 1989
• 2014

Blocks and Plots

Average block size in Chicago's 1990-2014 expansion area was 3.9 hectares, compared to 7.4 hectares in its pre-1990 area.

• Pre 1990
• 1990 – 2014