Chicago Pays Billions for Continued Segregation

The Urban Institute and the Metropolitan Planning Council studied the social and economic impacts of segregation in the Chicago region.

1 minute read

April 10, 2017, 5:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Chicago Apartments

Alex Ford / Flickr

Racial and economic segregation costs Chicago about $8 billion in annual GDP, according to a report from the Metropolitan Planning Council and the Urban Institute.

The high degree of segregation in Chicago is "not new information" in itself, a researcher told Chicago Tonight. But its effects—as felt in the areas of economic growth, educational attainment, and crime rates—have now been more thoroughly quantified.

For example, the report notes that the Chicago region could earn $4.4 billion more in income if it were only as segregated as the current national median. But without a change in course, even that level of desegregation could take until the year 2070. Researchers at MPC and the Urban Institute will now begin studying potential policy actions that could accelerate that pace.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in Chicago Tonight

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

US and Texas flags flying in front of Texas state capitol dome in Austin, Texas.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness

A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

30 minutes ago - The Texas Tribune

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

1 hour ago - Inside Climate News

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board