Park Forest, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Park Forest, Illinois had a total population of 21,156, the 114th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $61,072, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Park Forest Quick Facts
How Park 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 | 20,898 | 21,156 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $62,305 | $61,072 | -2.0% |
| Median home value | $106,200 | $115,300 | +8.6% |
How Park 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+)
Park 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 Park Forest
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Moline | 20,904 | $61,779 | $134,600 | 21.2% | 19.8% |
| Blue Island | 21,741 | $59,489 | $178,700 | 20.7% | 17.1% |
| Dolton | 20,825 | $57,887 | $151,300 | 22.7% | 21.7% |
| Loves Park | 23,502 | $61,868 | $160,400 | 25.7% | 14.4% |
| Crest Hill | 20,628 | $73,033 | $232,900 | 23.9% | 12.0% |
Population Overview
Park Forest is a small city located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 21,156. It ranks as the 114th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Park Forest is 36.9 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Park Forest is $61,072. This is 27% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.7%. This is 48% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $115,300. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Park Forest is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Park Forest is Black or African American, making up 67.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 19.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (19.7%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (67.4% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Park 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 Park Forest, Illinois?
Park Forest, Illinois has a population of 21,156 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Park Forest, IL?
The median household income in Park Forest is $61,072, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Park Forest, IL?
The poverty rate in Park Forest is 17.6%. This means approximately 3,715 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Park Forest, Illinois?
Park Forest's population is 19.7% White, 67.4% Black, 9.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Park Forest, IL?
The median home value in Park Forest is $115,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Park Forest, Illinois?
24.3% of adults (25+) in Park Forest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.