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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

River Forest

Illinois · 11,635 residents · 2.48 sq mi
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The short version

River Forest is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $89,284. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $342,600. Poverty is rare here, at 2.7% of residents. Households here earn about 92% more than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 38.6
US median: 35.2
More educated
70% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,635
Unchangedsince 1990
from 11,669 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,692 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 1990
from 4,705 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
38.6
+5%since 1990
from 36.7 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K11K11K12K12K1990201020202024River Forest
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$89,284
+8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $62,469 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$46,123
+42%since 1990
from $32,569 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
2.7%
+0.3 ptssince 1990
from 2.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$342,600
+1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $256,600 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$735
−11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $630 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
86.9%
+4.5 ptssince 1990
from 82.4% in 1990
13.1% rent
Afford Score
3.8
−7%since 1990
from 4.1 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in River Forest on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic94.7%(11,045)
Black1.6%(182)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(280)
Asian3%(355)
Diversity Score18%(2,099)
2000
White, non-Hispanic86.7%(10,084)
Black4.8%(553)
Hispanic / Latino4%(466)
Asian3.1%(362)
Diversity Score27.7%(3,220)
Diversity Score
28
+54%since 1990
from 18 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
69.7%
+10.2 ptssince 1990
from 59.5% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
96.8%
+1.8 ptssince 1990
from 95.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
38.2%
+8.2 ptssince 1990
from 29.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.2 min
−24%since 1990
from 25.2 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to River Forest

Miami Shores
Pop 11,669
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Pop 12,945
North Star
Pop 7,834
Palm Beach
Pop 9,423
Places similar to River Forest
Head to head

Compare River Forest to nearby cities

RIVER FOREST VS
Oak Park
Income$110,820+24%
Home value$465,500+36%
Population52,823+364%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RIVER FOREST VS
Maywood
Income$68,815−23%
Home value$229,800−33%
Population23,330+105%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RIVER FOREST VS
Forest Park
Income$77,221−14%
Home value$304,700−11%
Population13,829+21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RIVER FOREST VS
Elmwood Park
Income$91,955+3%
Home value$339,300−1%
Population23,675+108%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in River Forest, Illinois?

River Forest, Illinois has about 11,635 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in River Forest, Illinois earns about $89,284 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is River Forest, Illinois expensive?

In River Forest, Illinois, the median home is worth about $342,600, and the typical rent is about $735 a month.

How educated are people in River Forest, Illinois?

About 69.7% of adults age 25 and over in River Forest, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in River Forest, Illinois?

About 2.7% of people in River Forest, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has River Forest, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, River Forest, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 34 residents, a change of about -0 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 →