Oak Forest city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Oak Forest city, Illinois has a total population of 26,888, the 79th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $87,941, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.5%.
Oak Forest city Quick Facts
How Oak Forest city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Oak Forest city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to Oak Forest city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round Lake Beach village | 27,081 | $86,632 | $191,200 | 16.8% | 10.6% |
| McHenry city | 27,774 | $86,865 | $244,900 | 25.5% | 4.0% |
| Edwardsville city | 26,543 | $92,671 | $286,700 | 54.3% | 11.2% |
| Huntley village | 27,859 | $86,349 | $318,500 | 39.3% | 7.8% |
| Woodstock city | 26,316 | $83,293 | $231,100 | 31.4% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Oak Forest city is a mid-sized community located in Illinois. The total population is 26,888. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oak Forest city is 40.3 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oak Forest city is $87,941. This is 8% higher than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 12% higher. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $247,800. Housing costs are 1% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Oak Forest city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Oak Forest city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.0%.
Education
30.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oak Forest city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Oak Forest city, Illinois?
Oak Forest city, Illinois has a population of 26,888 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oak Forest city, IL?
The median household income in Oak Forest city is $87,941, which is 12% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Oak Forest city, IL?
The poverty rate in Oak Forest city is 5.5%. This means approximately 1,462 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oak Forest city, Illinois?
Oak Forest city's population is 64.8% White, 7.6% Black, 18.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oak Forest city, IL?
The median home value in Oak Forest city is $247,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Oak Forest city, Illinois?
30.1% of adults (25+) in Oak Forest city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.