The People of Chicago
The population of Chicago is very diverse. Around 45 per cent of Chicago's residents are white, while one third of them are African Americans. People of Hispanic or Latino descent make up for a little less than thirty percent of the population, while 5 percent of them are Asian.
Chicago also boasts the third largest LGBT population in the United States. Around 4 per cent of the city's population identifies as belonging to the LGBT community.
When it comes to religion, around 71 per cent of the population identifies as Christian, while around twenty two per cent claim to belong to no religion. The other seven per cent belong to other religious groups, including Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu.
No matter where you come from, what you believe in, who you love, or what your background story is, Chicago is a city that will welcome you with arms wide open. Keep that in mind while packing for your relocation.
The Weather in Chicago
The city of Chicago belongs to the humid continental climate zone. It has four distinct seasons. Its summers are quite warm and pretty humid. Average temperatures in July revolve around 75 degrees, with around twenty days experiencing temperatures over 90 degrees. Thunderstorms are relatively common during spring and summer months.
Chicago is known for having cold winters, and rightfully so. The average January high is still below freezing point. There is a lot of snow, so prepare to shovel once you move here. The official lowest temperature ever recorded in Chicago was -27 degrees back in 1985.
If you feel like the snow might be a good reason to reconsider moving to Chicago, don't worry. The city offers numerous winter activities to help you fight the cold. Some of the most fun activities include:
- Chicago Holiday Sightseeing Tour. Each year during holiday season, the Big Bus offers a hop-on hop-off tour of the city that allows you to experience Christmas in Chicago in a whole new way.
- The Field Museum. This is one of the rare museums in the country that offers season-specific events, such as exploring how plants and animals prepare for winter temperatures. It can be a fun family activity, as both kids and adults are bound to enjoy it.
- Brookfield Zoo. The Chicago Zoological Society also offers holiday-specific events, such as the Polar Lights Show.
- The Maggie Daley Park. If you have never tried ice skating – now is the time and the place to do so! The ice skating rink also offers magnificent views of the city's skyline, which makes it a unique experience and a romantic date-night option.
- Donut Fest. This might not be exactly a winter activity, but it is held during the winter and it's absolutely delicious. If you have a sweet tooth, you don't want to miss out on this festival.
Check out more ideas for fun things to do in Chicago during the cold winter days. However, don't expect a day off of work just because it is snowing.
