Unemployment Hits 20 Percent in Suburbs

Two Chicago suburbs have seen significant increases in poverty and now have some of the highest unemployment rates among small- and medium-sized U.S. cities.

Data was collected from 2005 through 2007 in communities with at least 20,000 residents. Released on Tuesday, it was the first detailed demographic, economic, and social information for smaller cities since the 2000 census.

In the southern suburb of Harvey, third on the top ten list, unemployment is at nearly 22 percent.

Dolton has the seventh-highest rate, at nearly 20 percent—a 173-percent increase since 2000.

The Illinois community of East St. Louis—whose unemployment has escalated by 23 percent—is also on the list at sixth, with a rate of more than 20 percent.