Downtown By The Numbers
Chicago Loop Alliance tracks the metrics that matter for businesses and investors.
We commission reports that track downtown activity, economic trends, and neighborhood vitality. These studies help businesses and investors make informed decisions about the Loop’s future.
Photo by Adam Alexander
State of the Loop Reports
Quarterly reports tracking a variety of metrics, including pedestrian activity, hotel occupancy, arts and culture, office occupancy, and more.
April-June 2026 (Q2)
New, world-class attractions, continued real estate investment and heavy weekend activity charged spring quarters.
January-March (Q1)
Loop’s first quarter primarily driven by new business investment and cultural events.
October-December 2025 (Q4)
New business openings, corporate investment, and robust arts and culture attendance signal a strong end to 2025.
July-September 2025 (Q3)
State of the Loop reports are released on a quarterly basis tracking a variety of metrics including pedestrian activity, hotel occupancy, arts and culture, office occupancy, and more.
April-June 2025 (Q2)
State of the Loop reports are released on a quarterly basis tracking a variety of metrics including pedestrian activity, hotel occupancy, arts and culture, office occupancy, and more.
January-March 2025 (Q1)
Record weekend pedestrian activity and arts and culture attendance set the Loop up for success in 2025.
Studies
Commissioned reports and research analyzing a variety of industries, sectors and trends that impact the Loop.
Loop Arts and Culture Economic Impact Study
COMING SOON — The report details the creative economy's contributions to the Loop ecosystem, evaluting industry operations, attendee spending and employment across sectors.
Chicago Central Area Plan 2045
The Central Area Plan 2045 is a 20-year roadmap for the continued growth of downtown Chicago, establishing equitable goals and strategies for improving downtown housing, transportation…
Value of Downtown Study
The report details Chicago’s Loop as an established downtown, showcasing robust employment rates, burgeoning population density, and sustainable growth prospects for the future.
Five-Year Strategic Plan
Chicago Loop Alliance commissioned a new strategic plan to take advantage of the evolving downtown and CLA’s role in the Loop following several years of altering the district and organization’s business model.
Elevate State Plan 2023
Elevate State plan analyzes the current landscape of State Street; recommends findings for the iconic thoroughfare; and addresses the future of a mixed-use district.
Loop Residential Study
Chicago Loop Alliance invites Loop residents to weigh in on a new study, which will track and analyze the economic impact of Loop renters and homeowners.
LaSalle Landmark Innovation District 2022
The LaSalle Landmarks Innovation District is a plan to accelerate the economic recovery of LaSalle Street in the Chicago Loop. Once the financial district for the central area, LaSalle Street faces headwinds brought to light by the recent pandemic.
The Impact of Sundays on State
View quantitative and qualitative data demonstrating the success of Chicago Loop Alliance’s innovative and award-winning program.
The Chicago Loop's New Demography
The 2020 U.S. Census includes data that shows the Loop is the fastest growing Chicago neighborhood, and Chicago's downtown is the fastest growing in the country. Learn more about the Chicago Loop's growing and changing demography.
Learning Expedition Chicago 2019
This report presents the conclusions made during the GBD Learning Expedition, reveals the main trends in the development of the global business districts, and also identifies the main challenges (opportunities) to the evolution of the districts…
State of the Loop: 2018 Economic Profile
In May 2019, Chicago Loop Alliance released its State of the Chicago Loop: 2018 Economic Profile, providing data on a variety of industries in the Loop.
Cultural Mile Action Plan
The Cultural Mile Action Plan was written by the Chicago Loop Alliance on behalf of the Cultural Mile organization. The recommendations focus on three categories: Programming, Streetscape, and Investment.
Arts in the Loop Economic Impact Study
CLA seeks to help its members gain a deeper understanding of the impact the large collection of arts and cultural assets in the area have on the Loop economy.
Transforming Wabash
CLA's Transforming Wabash Report offers a series of short- and long-term projects to promote and strengthen the historic Wabash Avenue district downtown.
Higher Education in the Loop and South Loop
CLA released Higher Education in the Loop and South Loop to present and analyze data describing the economic and social impact of the area's higher education institutions.
Resource Guide for those in Immediate Need
CLA and Chicago Help Initiative have compiled a Resource Guide with information on food, healthcare, shelter and job resources for those in critical need.
2013 State of the Loop: An Economic Profile
CLA commissioned State of the Chicago Loop to provide data on how downtown investment, businesses, employees and residents contribute to Chicago's economic output.
2025 Impact Report
Learn more about Chicago Loop Alliance by viewing the latest annual impact report.
Impact Reports
Annual Report detailing the impact of Chicago Loop Alliance and its projects and program areas throughout the year.
2024 Impact Report
2024 saw returns in office workers and Loop activity, evidenced by big bets from Loop stakeholders.
2023 Impact Report
2023 marked a year of planning, strategizing and initiating major moves for organization and Loop district. Read the full 2023 Impact Report.
2022 Impact Report
2022 was another year marked by the evolution of the traditional depiction of the Loop; continual recovery from the ravages of the past few years; and hope and optimism for the prospects of the future of our beautiful and iconic district.
2021 Impact Report
2021 marked a year of gradual recovery for the Loop, with both forward leaps and setbacks that required all of us to employ the flexibility we honed in 2020.
2020 Impact Report
The Loop, like downtowns around the world, faced incredible challenges in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting recession, and civil unrest over systemic racism and violence rocked the globe. Despite these challenges, ingenuity and camaraderie emerged downtown in the Loop community.
2019 Impact Report
Chicago Loop Alliance, and the Loop itself, experienced exciting growth in 2019. The Loop is benefiting from a boom in residential development, and with this boom come amenities that enhance the Loop for everyone.
Championing the Loop
The Chicago Loop Alliance champions the Loop as a thriving, vibrant business and cultural district in Chicago’s heart.
Support the Loop’s Vibrancy
Your donation helps us create programs that improve quality of life in Chicago’s downtown community.
SSA #1-2015
State Street Special Service Area #1-2015 is a taxing district that funds enhanced services in Chicago’s downtown.Learn More