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CITY · 2020 ACS

River Forest

Illinois · 11,717 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 $125,288. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 80% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $604,900. Poverty is rare here, at 2.2% of residents. Households here earn about 83% more than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.1
US median: 38.8
More educated
80% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,717
+1%since 2000
from 11,635 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,725 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 4,692 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.1
+4%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K11K11K12K12K1990201020202024River Forest
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$125,288
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $89,284 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$79,929
+73%since 2000
from $46,123 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
71.2%
+9.0 ptssince 2009
from 62.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
2.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services13.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration10.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade6.6%
US avg: 10%
Information5.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing3.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade2.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$604,900
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $342,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,309
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $735 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
85.9%
−1.0 ptssince 2000
from 86.9% in 2000
14.1% rent
Afford Score
4.8
+26%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic70.9%(8,308)
Black7.4%(869)
Hispanic / Latino8.5%(991)
Asian8%(932)
Other3.6%(425)
Diversity Score57.4%(6,728)
Diversity Score
57
+107%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
80.1%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 69.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
98.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 96.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
42.5%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 38.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.0 min
+67%since 2000
from 19.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
51.0%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 59.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.2%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 5.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2011
from 63.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
68.5%
−14.5 ptssince 2009
from 83.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Female
51.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Foreign born
10.5%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.5%
−93.2 ptssince 2013
from 94.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare River Forest to nearby cities

RIVER FOREST VS
Oak Park
Income$110,820−12%
Home value$465,500−23%
Population52,823+364%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RIVER FOREST VS
Maywood
Income$68,815−45%
Home value$229,800−62%
Population23,330+105%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RIVER FOREST VS
Forest Park
Income$77,221−38%
Home value$304,700−50%
Population13,829+21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RIVER FOREST VS
Elmwood Park
Income$91,955−27%
Home value$339,300−44%
Population23,675+108%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in River Forest, Illinois?

River Forest, Illinois has about 11,717 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in River Forest, Illinois earns about $125,288 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 $604,900, and the typical rent is about $1,309 a month.

How educated are people in River Forest, Illinois?

About 80.1% 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 2.2% of people in River Forest, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has River Forest, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, River Forest, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 48 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

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