State of Our Youth 2025
Coming of age in Chicago provides young people with unique opportunities and a rich cultural landscape that can shape their lives in profound ways. The city is home to a diverse array of 77 neighborhoods, each with its own history and sense of community.
But for all of Chicago’s promise, it can also be a challenging place to grow up. Too many youth—especially in communities on the South and West sides of the city—experience high rates of poverty, violence, unemployment, and homelessness. These long-standing inequities are reflected in every aspect of achievement including academic and career success. While these challenges have existed for decades, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many achievement gaps to widen.
So, how are Chicago’s youth truly faring? This report will examine the challenges and barriers to their success, as well as the interventions and investments driving positive change.