Illinois · Metropolitan Area
Oak Forest is a small city in Illinois with a population of 26,888. Residents earn $87,941 per year, which is 17% above the national average.
Based on current data, Oak Forest receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Oak Forest offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Oak Forest is $87,941, 17% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.
The median home value in Oak Forest is $247,800, 12% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,287 per month. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Oak Forest is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 92 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,189 per 100,000, 39% below the national average.
30.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.
Oak Forest experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.9 inches, including 38.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
| English Only | 82.6% |
| 5% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 17.4% |
| 30% above US avg |
| Median HH Income | $87,941 |
| 17% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $41,268 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,165 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $93,451 |
| Unemployment | 3.6% |
| 0% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% |
| 67% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 15,924 |
| County GDP | $50,333M |
| Restaurants | 1,360 |
| Healthcare | 1,994 |
| Retail | 1,683 |
| Manufacturing | 594 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $9,020 |
| 158% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.64% |
| Commute Time | 31.1 min |
| Work from Home | 9.6% |
| Census Median | $247,800 |
| 12% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $283,722 |
| Median List Price | $321,500 |
| Median List Price | $321,500 |
| $/Sq Ft | $188 |
| Homes Sold | 19 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 99.7% |
| Price Drops | 20.0% |
| Inventory | 60 |
| Census Median Rent | $1,287 |
| 11% above US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,799 |
| Studio | $774 |
| 1 Bedroom | $854 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,063 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,370 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,561 |
| Owner-Occupied | 79.6% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $9,020 |
| 158% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 3.64% |
| Obesity | 28.6% |
| 11% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 8.5% |
| Heart Disease | 4.4% |
| High Blood Pressure | 26.1% |
| Asthma | 9.9% |
| COPD | 5.1% |
| Stroke | 2.5% |
| Binge Drinking | 21.6% |
| Physical Inactivity | 19.5% |
| Depression | 21.2% |
| Mental Distress | 16.1% |
| Physical Distress | 10.7% |
| Insurance Rate | 95.0% |
| Checkup Rate | 75.3% |
| Premature Death | 6,358/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.8/10 |
| Exercise Access | 93.5% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,994 |
| Total Violent | 92.0/100K |
| 76% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 3.5/100K |
| Robbery | 24.8/100K |
| Assault | 63.7/100K |
| Total Property | 1,189.3/100K |
| 39% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 230.1/100K |
| Theft | 902.6/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 56.6/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 59 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 52.5°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 40.9 inches |
| 8% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 38.8 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 654 ft (199 m) |
| Area | 6.0 sq mi (15.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,459/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.6067°N, 87.7533°W |
| County FIPS | 17197 |
Winner: Democrat by 1.6 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.1% |
| 11% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 92.3% |
| School Test Score | 5.34 |
| RUCC Code 1 | Metro — 1 million+ |
| Population Density | 4,459/sq mi |
| Total Area | 6.0 sq mi |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 1 |
| Public Libraries | 24 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,994 |
| Restaurants | 1,360 |
| Retail Stores | 1,683 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 59 |
| Avg Commute | 31.1 min |
| Work from Home | 9.6% |