July 09--Chicago is the nation's 8th most distressed large city, according to a report.
Detroit topped the list compiled by Economic Innovation Group, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. Also ranking ahead of Chicago, in order, were Memphis, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Baltimore, Fresno, Calif., and Las Vegas. Rounding out the top 10, after Chicago, were Tucson and Houston.
The report looked at data that indicated economic well-being from more than 25,000 ZIP codes with populations of more than 500 people. The seven factors analyzed were education levels, housing vacancy rate, unemployment rate, poverty level, median income, changes in employment and changes in the number of businesses.
The cities were ranked based on the percent of the city's population living in distressed communities.
In Chicago, 42 percent live in distressed ZIP codes, compared to Detroit's 94 percent. In Houston, 38 percent of the population lives in distressed ZIP codes.
The most economically distressed ZIP code in Chicago was 60624, which includes the West Garfield Park neighborhood. Others in Illinois include 62204 in East St. Louis; 60472, which includes the southwest suburban village of Robbins, and 60958 in Pembroke Township near Kankakee.
crshropshire@tribpub.com
