Chicago just reached a historic health and wellness milestone—the citywide average life expectancy has hit its highest age ever.
Here’s a look at the data and what it means for life in the Windy City.
Chicago average life expectancy nears 80 years old
During the annual Juneteenth flag raising ceremony at Daley Plaza on Tuesday, June 16, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that Chicago’s average life expectancy has reached 79.5 years.
This marks the highest-ever average life expectancy for the city, propelled by statistical gains across various demographics.
The findings come from the Chicago Health Atlas, which aggregates public health indicators from across Chicago.
The data, spanning the time period between 2010 and 2024, found increases in life expectancy among Black men and across the South and West side communities.
The numbers also indicate a decrease in opioid-related fatalities during the same period.
Chicago’s Chief Equity Officer celebrated the milestone in a statement.
“These shifts represent more than a statistic—they represent years of life gained, families kept whole, and communities benefiting from investments that address longstanding inequities.”
Learn more about Chicago life expectancy data and other city health resources here.
