What Are People From Chicago Called?

North America, United States

The demonym for people from Chicago is:

Chicagoan

Pronunciation:

/ʃɪˈkɑːɡoʊən/

Ends in -an — see how this suffix works

Navy pier
Image via Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 3.0

About Chicago

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States and sits on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan in Illinois. It is a major global financial center, home to the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and a hub for commerce, industry, technology, and transportation. The city is known for its architecture, including early skyscrapers built after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and its skyline remains one of the most recognizable in the world. Chicago is also the birthplace of modern blues and house music, traditions that continue to shape its vibrant nightlife. Its diverse neighborhoods, museums, theaters, and lakefront parks attract millions of visitors each year. The city's deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, and wide-ranging culinary scene reflect generations of immigrant communities that have helped build Chicago into a dynamic urban center.

Quick Facts about Chicago
Population:
2,746,388 (2024 est.)
Country:
United States
Region:
North America

Recommended Geography Resources

Want to explore where Chicagoans live? Here's the atlas that does it best:

National Geographic Atlas of the World

Highly detailed, stunning visuals

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Etymology of the Chicago Demonym

From Miami-Illinois 'shikaakwa', meaning 'wild onion' or 'wild garlic', referring to plants that grew along the Chicago River.

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