ABSTRACT
The two decades from 1950 to 1970 were a period of economic boom in the U.S. The American economy largely was unchallenged in the world, and the dollar was the world's reserve currency. Metropolitan Chicago participated fully in the economic boom. Median family income increased by 92 percent, and both population and employment grew briskly. Population growth in these counties started to be significant in these two decades, so from here on population data will be reported for the city of Chicago, the inner ring of suburbs, and the outer ring of suburbs. Chicago continued to add to its impressive transportation infrastructure after World War II. These additions included a new highway system, a new airport, expanded port facilities and waterway connections, and new rail yards. With the exception of the rail yards, these new facilities were products of government planning and funding. African-American women participated in the labor force to a somewhat greater extent than all women.
