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CITY · 2020 ACS

Oak Forest

Illinois · 27,478 residents · 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 $78,865. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $202,400. Poverty is rare here, at 4.6% of residents.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.5
US median: 38.8
Average education
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 8%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
27,478
−2%since 2000
from 28,051 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,561 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 4,656 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.5
+11%since 2000
from 35.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
26K27K27K28K28K1990201020202024Oak Forest
202427K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$78,865
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,073 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,289
+50%since 2000
from $23,487 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
53.7%
+7.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.1%
US avg: 10%
Other services8.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance6.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$202,400
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $145,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,095
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $667 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
78.7%
−2.9 ptssince 2000
from 81.7% in 2000
21.3% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+6%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic67.7%(18,606)
Black7.3%(2,012)
Hispanic / Latino16.5%(4,541)
Asian4.8%(1,313)
Other1.7%(455)
Diversity Score60.7%(16,688)
Diversity Score
61
+117%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.3%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 22.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 89.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.5%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.2 min
+31%since 2000
from 24.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.7%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 82.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−5.6 ptssince 2011
from 9.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.5%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 71.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.7%
−24.8 ptssince 2009
from 60.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
49.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
11.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.4%
−82.4 ptssince 2013
from 88.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Oak Forest

Citrus Park
Pop 28,804
Northdale
Pop 25,710
Port St. John
Pop 25,120
The Crossings
Pop 22,963
Places similar to Oak Forest
Head to head

Compare Oak Forest to nearby cities

OAK FOREST VS
Midlothian
Income$70,000−11%
Home value$207,000+2%
Population13,841−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OAK FOREST VS
Crestwood
Income$75,752−4%
Home value$195,200−4%
Population10,529−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OAK FOREST VS
Markham
Income$57,302−27%
Home value$135,300−33%
Population11,274−58%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OAK FOREST VS
Country Club Hills
Income$75,197−5%
Home value$192,000−5%
Population16,215−39%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Oak Forest, Illinois?

Oak Forest, Illinois has about 27,478 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Oak Forest, Illinois earns about $78,865 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 $202,400, and the typical rent is about $1,095 a month.

How educated are people in Oak Forest, Illinois?

About 30.3% 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 4.6% 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 1,275 residents, a change of about 5 percent over that period.

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

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