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CITY

Oak Forest

Illinois · 26,792 residents (2025 est.) · 6.025 sq mi
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The short version

Oak Forest is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $91,990. Population has declined 4% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $255,100. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.5
US median: 38.9
Average education
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
26,805
−4%since 2000
from 28,051 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,449 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 4,656 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.5
+14%since 2000
from 35.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:26,792 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
26K27K27K28K28K1990201020202024Oak Forest
202427K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$91,990
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,073 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$43,191
+84%since 2000
from $23,487 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
60.5%
+14.7 ptssince 2009
from 45.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.5%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.396
+10%since 2010
from 0.361 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade8.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services7.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade7.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration5.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$255,100
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $145,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,328
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $667 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
82.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 81.7% in 2000
17.6% rent
Vacancy rate
2.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.5%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 31.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.9%
−10.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.8
+14%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
38
RELATED:See current rent listings in Oak Forest on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.6%(24,297)
Black3.6%(1,006)
Hispanic / Latino5.9%(1,645)
Asian2.6%(736)
Other0%
Diversity Score28%(7,860)
2024
White, non-Hispanic64.8%(17,365)
Black7.8%(2,084)
Hispanic / Latino18.4%(4,932)
Asian5.8%(1,561)
Other3.2%(863)
Diversity Score67%(17,959)
Diversity Score
67
+139%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.2%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 22.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.1%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 89.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.1%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.8 min
+29%since 2000
from 24.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.8%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 82.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
5.6%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.5%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.4%
−4.3 ptssince 2011
from 9.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
68.3%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 71.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
36.1%
−24.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
50.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
11.8%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.6%
−45.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.0%
+2.2 ptssince 2012
from 8.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.5%
−81.3 ptssince 2013
from 88.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.1%
+11.9 ptssince 2017
from 82.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
76.3%
−7.8 ptssince 2016
from 84.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
12.1%
+5.8 ptssince 2016
from 6.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Oak Forest to nearby cities

OAK FOREST VS
Midlothian
Income$70,000−24%
Home value$207,000−19%
Population13,841−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OAK FOREST VS
Crestwood
Income$75,752−18%
Home value$195,200−23%
Population10,529−61%
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OAK FOREST VS
Markham
Income$57,302−38%
Home value$135,300−47%
Population11,274−58%
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OAK FOREST VS
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Income$75,197−18%
Home value$192,000−25%
Population16,215−39%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Oak Forest, Illinois?

Oak Forest, Illinois has about 26,805 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Oak Forest, Illinois?

The typical household in Oak Forest, Illinois earns about $91,990 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Oak Forest, Illinois expensive?

In Oak Forest, Illinois, the median home is worth about $255,100, and the typical rent is about $1,328 a month.

How educated are people in Oak Forest, Illinois?

About 31.2% of adults age 25 and over in Oak Forest, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Oak Forest, Illinois?

About 6.5% of people in Oak Forest, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Oak Forest, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Oak Forest, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 602 residents, a change of about 2 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →