Oak Forest, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oak Forest, Illinois had a total population of 26,805, the 80th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $91,990, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Oak Forest Quick Facts
How Oak Forest Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,888 | 26,805 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $87,941 | $91,990 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $247,800 | $255,100 | +2.9% |
How Oak Forest Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Oak Forest Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Cook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,711,226 | $77,902 | 16.8% | $334,100 |
| Elgin | 114,934 | $90,282 | 9.8% | $273,000 |
| Cicero | 82,797 | $70,842 | 14.6% | $249,400 |
| Schaumburg | 76,868 | $97,514 | 5.7% | $330,400 |
| Evanston | 76,340 | $96,434 | 11.8% | $481,200 |
| Arlington Heights | 76,005 | $116,723 | 6.0% | $414,500 |
| Palatine | 66,293 | $97,819 | 8.2% | $355,600 |
| Skokie | 66,219 | $95,337 | 9.7% | $387,200 |
| Des Plaines | 59,156 | $97,875 | 6.0% | $335,600 |
| Orland Park | 57,916 | $98,910 | 7.3% | $367,200 |
Cities Similar to Oak Forest
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edwardsville | 26,474 | $86,721 | $299,800 | 52.6% | 11.6% |
| Round Lake Beach | 27,079 | $86,059 | $199,200 | 16.2% | 14.8% |
| Huntley | 28,005 | $88,536 | $334,300 | 42.5% | 8.6% |
| Woodstock | 26,147 | $82,758 | $245,700 | 30.6% | 6.0% |
| McHenry | 28,074 | $86,315 | $266,500 | 25.7% | 4.7% |
Population Overview
Oak Forest is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 26,805. It ranks as the 80th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oak Forest is 40.5 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oak Forest is $91,990. This is 10% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 45% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $255,100. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Oak Forest is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Oak Forest is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.4%.
Education
31.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oak Forest, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Oak Forest, Illinois?
Oak Forest, Illinois has a population of 26,805 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oak Forest, IL?
The median household income in Oak Forest is $91,990, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oak Forest, IL?
The poverty rate in Oak Forest is 6.5%. This means approximately 1,745 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oak Forest, Illinois?
Oak Forest's population is 64.8% White, 7.8% Black, 18.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oak Forest, IL?
The median home value in Oak Forest is $255,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Oak Forest, Illinois?
31.2% of adults (25+) in Oak Forest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.