Park Forest village, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Park Forest village is a small city located in Illinois. The total population is 20,898. It ranks as the 116th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Park Forest village is 36.9 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Park Forest village is $62,305. This is 24% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.2%. This is 47% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $106,200. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Park Forest village is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Park Forest village is Black or African American, making up 69.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.5%) is well below the state average of 58.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (69.5% vs 13.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (8.9%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

25.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 91.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Park Forest village, 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.