Economic Report Finds Business Climate Thriving in DuPage County

April 4, 2016

Report showcases DuPage as the premier business location with the lowest unemployment in the region

 

The 2015 Annual Economic Indicators Report confirms DuPage County as a thriving business climate due to its low unemployment, skilled workforce, high quality of life and growing business sector. The report reinforces DuPage County’s attractiveness for job creators and entrepreneurs at a time when the state and communities like Chicago struggle with high taxes, pension challenges and a hostile business climate. The report was compiled from Choose DuPage member data and professional economic data provider EMSI.

 

2015 Annual Economic Indicators Report Highlights:

  • DuPage County has the lowest unemployment rate at 4.5% in the Chicagoland region, and far below the state at 6.4%
  • DuPage County sales tax receipts have increased by 5.5% reaffirming a strong and welcoming business climate
  • DuPage County‘s largest and fastest growing industries include healthcare, retail, scientific and manufacturing
  • Suburban office leases are priced 66% lower per square foot than Chicago’s Central Business District, helping to drive DuPage’s lowest industrial vacancy in the region of 5%

 

“The families and businesses of DuPage County are thriving as local commerce and business development continues to flourish,” said John Carpenter, president and CEO of Choose DuPage. “Driven by our skilled workforce, high quality-of-life and premier location, new businesses have made DuPage their home and local industries continue to expand and grow their footprint. This report highlights DuPage County as a premier business location during a time when the state of Illinois is lagging.” At the time of the report, DuPage County’s unemployment rate was the lowest in the region and among the lowest in the state at just 4.5%, while the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) showed the City of Chicago was far higher at 6 percent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics currently ranks Illinois as one of the highest unemployment rates in the United States at 6.4 percent. In addition to these economic impact report findings, DuPage County was recently named Illinois’ Healthiest County by a study published in collaboration by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The study surveyed overall health outcomes, social and economic factors, as well as physical environment including education, crime and employment.