Chicago has a population of 2.7 million and, with its diverse economy and strong trade operations, the city is a key financial hub of the United States. After New York and the Bay Area, the city also ranks as the third largest market for data centers, service providers, and network fabrics in the US.

Chicago has a GDP of over US$600 billion, and with a significant contribution from the digital economy, its data center industry is thriving. The top providers currently include: CH1, Digital Realty, CH2, CH4, CH3.

Chicago is home to the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange - the world’s oldest futures exchange that accounts for more global derivatives trading than all exchanges in Europe. Proficiency in this sector has significantly contributed to the strength of Chicago’s market for cloud and connectivity.