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The 10 Worst Cities for Women in Illinois in 2026
As we move into 2026, the ongoing pursuit of gender equality still faces significant challenges for women across the United States, including in Illinois. Despite advancements in many areas, women continue to experience disparities in income, leadership opportunities, and access to resources. This article explores the cities in Illinois where these challenges are most acute.
We analyzed various factors to determine the cities with the least favorable conditions for women. The results reveal how location can significantly impact women’s experiences and opportunities.
Continue reading to discover which cities ranked as the worst for women in Illinois and learn about the criteria used in our analysis.
The 10 Worst Cities for Women in Illinois
The cities listed above represent the most challenging environments for women in Illinois today. Read on to understand why these cities rank poorly for women’s experiences, or skip to the end to find the best cities for women in the state.
Methodology – How We Determined the Worst Cities for Women in Illinois
We evaluated each city based on four key categories:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women Living in Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Earnings (Lower is worse)
- Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
For our analysis, we utilized the American Community Survey (ACS) data to calculate the income disparity between women and men in each city. By dividing the median income of male workers by that of female workers, we assessed how much women earn per male dollar.
To focus on women’s specific poverty rates, we examined individuals living without other relatives, as this demographic tends to reflect higher poverty rates. This approach allows us to gain insight into the financial challenges faced by women in these communities.
We also analyzed the representation of women in management roles, recognizing that increased female leadership can create opportunities for advancement. Additionally, we assessed the percentage of uninsured women to highlight healthcare access issues across different cities.
Our study considered only Illinois cities with populations over 5,000.
1. East Alton
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.52
Women in Management: 26.4%
Women in Poverty: 25.4%
Uninsured Women: 6.6%
East Alton ranks as the worst city for women in Illinois, reflecting systemic issues that hinder women’s advancement. With high poverty rates and a significant percentage of uninsured women, the challenges are evident.
2. Metropolis
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.50
Women in Management: 22.5%
Women in Poverty: 29.3%
Uninsured Women: 3.9%
Metropolis follows closely, with similarly concerning statistics for women, particularly in terms of poverty rates and managerial representation.
3. Wilmington
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.46
Women in Management: 24.6%
Women in Poverty: 18.9%
Uninsured Women: 5.0%
Wilmington presents a challenging environment for women, with a low percentage in management roles and high poverty rates.
4. Watseka
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.50
Women in Management: 36.9%
Women in Poverty: 20.0%
Uninsured Women: 9.0%
Watseka is another city with significant challenges, including a notable percentage of uninsured women and poverty among single women.
5. Peru
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.51
Women in Management: 26.6%
Women in Poverty: 12.3%
Uninsured Women: 5.6%
Peru offers slightly better opportunities compared to the previous cities, yet challenges persist, especially in management representation.
6. Carpentersville
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.65
Women in Management: 34.7%
Women in Poverty: 18.0%
Uninsured Women: 14.0%
Carpentersville ranks sixth, with its women facing a significant poverty risk and barriers to healthcare access.
7. Bridgeview
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.60
Women in Management: 39.3%
Women in Poverty: 21.0%
Uninsured Women: 11.3%
Bridgeview’s women face high poverty rates and significant healthcare challenges, making it a difficult place for advancement.
8. Effingham
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.61
Women in Management: 27.8%
Women in Poverty: 19.3%
Uninsured Women: 5.4%
Effingham also presents challenges for women, particularly in terms of poverty rates and managerial representation.
9. Harvey
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.73
Women in Management: 36.1%
Women in Poverty: 35.7%
Uninsured Women: 13.6%
In Harvey, women experience significant economic challenges, with high poverty rates and a large percentage of uninsured individuals.
10. Belvidere
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.55
Women in Management: 39.1%
Women in Poverty: 18.9%
Uninsured Women: 7.2%
Belvidere ranks tenth, where while conditions are slightly better than the preceding cities, challenges remain significant, particularly regarding poverty and access to leadership roles.
Summary of the Worst Cities for Women in Illinois
The cities highlighted in this article illustrate the ongoing struggles women face in Illinois. Despite progress in various areas, these locations present especially difficult circumstances for women, with high poverty rates, low management representation, and limited healthcare access.
Although not all women in these cities may experience the same level of difficulty, the data indicates that systemic issues persist, making it essential for communities to address these inequalities. Together, we can work toward creating better opportunities for women across Illinois.
Detailed List of the Worst Cities for Women in Illinois
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Alton | $0.52 |
| 2 | Metropolis | $0.50 |
| 3 | Wilmington | $0.46 |
| 4 | Watseka | $0.50 |
| 5 | Peru | $0.51 |
| 6 | Carpentersville | $0.65 |
| 7 | Bridgeview | $0.60 |
| 8 | Effingham | $0.61 |
| 9 | Harvey | $0.73 |
| 10 | Belvidere | $0.55 |
| 11 | Park City | $0.76 |
| 12 | East Moline | $0.56 |
| 13 | Dekalb | $0.58 |
| 14 | Coal City | $0.55 |
| 15 | Hampshire | $0.59 |
| 16 | River Grove | $0.58 |
| 17 | Woodstock | $0.63 |
| 18 | Northlake | $0.71 |
| 19 | Carbondale | $0.82 |
| 20 | Streator | $0.49 |
| 21 | Posen | $0.93 |
| 22 | Hoopeston | $0.80 |
| 23 | Harvard | $0.77 |
| 24 | West Frankfort | $0.61 |
| 25 | Aurora | $0.66 |
| 26 | Pana | $0.60 |
| 27 | Marseilles | $0.52 |
| 28 | Summit | $0.79 |
| 29 | Steger | $0.56 |
| 30 | Benton | $0.51 |
| 31 | Rantoul | $0.74 |
| 32 | Mundelein | $0.60 |
| 33 | Elgin | $0.74 |
| 34 | Bradley | $0.65 |
| 35 | Clarendon Hills | $0.31 |
| 36 | Mount Carmel | $0.56 |
| 37 | Gilberts | $0.57 |
| 38 | Highwood | $1.01 |
| 39 | Bourbonnais | $0.53 |
| 40 | Centreville | $0.72 |
| 41 | Edwardsville | $0.42 |
| 42 | Schiller Park | $0.62 |
| 43 | Addison | $0.69 |
| 44 | Prospect Heights | $0.64 |
| 45 | Roscoe | $0.53 |
| 46 | Justice | $0.61 |
| 47 | Du Quoin | $0.47 |
| 48 | Johnsburg | $0.53 |
| 49 | Charleston | $0.65 |
| 50 | Cary | $0.56 |
| 51 | Taylorville | $0.65 |
| 52 | Round Lake Beach | $0.78 |
| 53 | Burbank | $0.68 |
| 54 | Galesburg | $0.68 |
| 55 | Clinton | $0.63 |
| 56 | Alton | $0.71 |
| 57 | Princeton | $0.52 |
| 58 | Zion | $0.81 |
| 59 | West Chicago | $0.69 |
| 60 | Peoria Heights | $0.56 |
| 61 | Lincoln | $0.61 |
| 62 | Hinsdale | $0.34 |
| 63 | Wood River | $0.67 |
| 64 | Olney | $0.58 |
| 65 | Joliet | $0.61 |
| 66 | St. Charles | $0.48 |
| 67 | Wood Dale | $0.58 |
| 68 | Palatine | $0.67 |
| 69 | Rockford | $0.73 |
| 70 | Spring Valley | $0.50 |
| 71 | Glen Carbon | $0.63 |
| 72 | Swansea | $0.59 |
| 73 | Ottawa | $0.65 |
| 74 | Waukegan | $0.75 |
| 75 | Carlinville | $0.51 |
| 76 | Danville | $0.78 |
| 77 | Chicago Heights | $0.66 |
| 78 | Hickory Hills | $0.64 |
| 79 | Villa Park | $0.61 |
| 80 | Melrose Park | $0.75 |
| 81 | Lincolnwood | $0.52 |
| 82 | Cicero | $0.73 |
| 83 | Round Lake | $0.66 |
| 84 | South Elgin | $0.62 |
| 85 | Westmont | $0.69 |
| 86 | Lemont | $0.44 |
| 87 | Chicago Ridge | $0.73 |
| 88 | Pingree Grove | $0.37 |
| 89 | Moline | $0.59 |
| 90 | Beach Park | $0.70 |
| 91 | Collinsville | $0.62 |
| 92 | Marengo | $0.69 |
| 93 | Carol Stream | $0.67 |
| 94 | Harrisburg | $0.65 |
| 95 | Cahokia | $1.05 |
| 96 | Romeoville | $0.59 |
| 97 | Macomb | $0.77 |
| 98 | Chillicothe | $0.62 |
| 99 | Quincy | $0.64 |
| 100 | Highland | $0.59 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
