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CITY · 2010 ACS

River Forest

Illinois · 11,172 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 $116,528. Population has declined 4% since 2000. 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $618,200. Poverty is rare here, at 5.6% of residents. Households here earn about 109% more than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 41.3
US median: 37.2
More educated
76% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 42%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,172
−4%since 2000
from 11,635 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,505 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 4,692 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
41.3
+7%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K11K11K12K12K1990201020202024River Forest
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$116,528
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $89,284 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$61,308
+33%since 2000
from $46,123 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
62.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
5.6%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.529
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Other services15.6%
US avg: 7%
Public administration10.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Information6.2%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade5.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.9%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 3.1%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 4.2%
Wholesale trade1.9%
US avg: 7.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$618,200
+42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $342,600 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$902
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $735 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
60.7%
−26.1 ptssince 2000
from 86.9% in 2000
11.9% rent
Vacancy rate
7.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
34.2%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 29.1% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
26.1%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 21.4% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
5.3
+38%since 2000
from 3.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in River Forest on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.7%(10,084)
Black4.8%(553)
Hispanic / Latino4%(466)
Asian3.1%(362)
Other0%
Diversity Score27.7%(3,220)
2010
White, non-Hispanic81%(9,050)
Black6.6%(733)
Hispanic / Latino6%(670)
Asian4.5%(505)
Other2.2%(246)
Diversity Score42.1%(4,709)
Diversity Score
42
+52%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
76.0%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 69.7% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
97.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 96.8% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
41.9%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 38.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.7 min
+44%since 2000
from 19.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
60.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.8% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
3.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
16.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
10.2%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
9.2%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
4.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
14.3%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
64.6%
−18.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.0% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Female
50.7%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Foreign born
7.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
8.2%
−40.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare River Forest to nearby cities

RIVER FOREST VS
Oak Park
Income$110,820−5%
Home value$465,500−25%
Population52,823+364%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RIVER FOREST VS
Maywood
Income$68,815−41%
Home value$229,800−63%
Population23,330+105%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RIVER FOREST VS
Forest Park
Income$77,221−34%
Home value$304,700−51%
Population13,829+21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RIVER FOREST VS
Elmwood Park
Income$91,955−21%
Home value$339,300−45%
Population23,675+108%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in River Forest, Illinois?

River Forest, Illinois has about 11,172 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in River Forest, Illinois earns about $116,528 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 $618,200, and the typical rent is about $902 a month.

How educated are people in River Forest, Illinois?

About 76.0% 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 5.6% 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 497 residents, a change of about -4 percent over that period.

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

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