Chicagoland Named #1 U.S. Metro for Corporate Relocation & Site Selection

Sustained competitiveness in attracting capital and jobs fuels 13th consecutive year at the top

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Chicago has been named the top U.S. metro for corporate relocation and site selection by Site Selection Magazine for the 13th consecutive year. The annual ranking, based on verified corporate facility projects, underscores Chicago's strengths in attracting business expansion and investment activity, with $1.7 billion in earnings, 26.3 million square feet of space, and 19,600 jobs fueling the top ranking.

Why it matters

Chicago's continued leadership in corporate relocation and expansion reflects the city's strengths in manufacturing, freight, transportation, global logistics, infrastructure, and skilled workforce, which have made it a hub for American commerce. The recognition demonstrates Chicago's ability to attract capital and jobs, powering new industries and opportunities.

The details

In 2025, World Business Chicago recorded 223 qualifying corporate expansion, relocation, and new market entry projects, a 40% year-over-year increase. This activity corresponds to an estimated 19,600 new and retained jobs, $1.7 billion in annual earnings, and more than 26 million square feet of commercial and industrial space. The expansion and market entry outpaced 2024 totals, reflecting sustained business confidence in the region's workforce, infrastructure, and market access.

  • In 2025, World Business Chicago recorded 223 qualifying corporate projects.
  • The 2025 projects represent a 40% year-over-year increase from 2024.

The players

Brandon Johnson

Mayor of Chicago.

Adam Bruns

Editor in Chief of Site Selection Magazine.

Phil Clement

President & CEO of World Business Chicago.

Kevin Considine

Chair of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership and President & CEO of Lake County Partners.

Kristin Papesh

Chief Human Resources Officer of Fortune Brands Innovations.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Chicago's continued leadership in corporate relocation and expansion reflects the strengths our city has built over generations. From manufacturing and freight to transportation and global logistics, we have long served as the backbone of American commerce. That industrial depth, combined with modern infrastructure and a skilled workforce, is why companies continue to choose Chicago to grow, invest, and innovate.”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago (bakercityherald.com)

“Site Selection Magazine's annual rankings once again underscore the scale of Chicagoland's business momentum. All told, more than 3,100 corporate facility projects qualifying for our database landed last year in the 30 U.S. metros listed among the top 10 by total projects in each of three population tiers. Chicagoland's projects represented nearly 20% of the total. Those are some mighty big shoulders.”

— Adam Bruns, Editor in Chief, Site Selection Magazine (bakercityherald.com)

“Chicago wins because of structural advantages— central geography at the heart of North American trade, the busiest multimodal freight network in the country, unmatched global connectivity through O'Hare, and a 5.5 million–person workforce that spans advanced research to essential operations.”

— Phil Clement, President & CEO, World Business Chicago (bakercityherald.com)

“This recognition reflects the evolution of Chicagoland as a fully integrated economic region. Major investors aren't evaluating city or county boundaries — they're looking at regional scale, talent depth, infrastructure, and long-term competitiveness. Chicagoland delivers on all of it.”

— Kevin Considine, Chair of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership and President & CEO of Lake County Partners (bakercityherald.com)

“Consolidating and expanding our headquarters in Deerfield was a strategic decision rooted in long-term growth. Chicagoland offers the talent depth, connectivity, and collaborative ecosystem we need to accelerate innovation and operate at scale. Our new campus is already strengthening engagement and speed to market — and this region provides the workforce and business environment that positions us for sustained success.”

— Kristin Papesh, Chief Human Resources Officer of Fortune Brands Innovations (bakercityherald.com)

What’s next

The Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership plans to continue strengthening cross-county coordination and expanding international engagement, including hosting SelectCHI for global decision-makers and leading strategic trade missions.

The takeaway

Chicago's sustained competitiveness in corporate relocation and site selection underscores the region's strengths in manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, and talent, making it a hub for American commerce. The recognition demonstrates Chicago's ability to attract capital and jobs, powering new industries and opportunities through collaborative regional efforts.