At a Glance
Median Income
$148,711
$92,547 per capita
Home Value
$676,900
Zillow: $738,290
Median Rent
$1,411/mo
37.2% of income on rent
Violent Crime
81/100K
2,491/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
73.4%
96.7% high school+
Unemployment
6.8%
0.6% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
24.8%
7.1% smoking rate
How River Forest Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows River Forest's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is River Forest a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.6 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
River Forest residents earn a median household income of $148,711 , which is 98% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $92,547. The unemployment rate stands at 6.8% (89% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 0.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 137,804 business establishments, including 12,631 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in River Forest is $676,900 , 140% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $738,290. Median rent is $1,411/month, with 37.2% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 100.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1946.
Safety & Crime
River Forest reports 81 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 79% below the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,491/100K.
Education
73.4% of adults in River Forest hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(118% above the national average).
96.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.2/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
River Forest has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C).
Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.4 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 54.
Data Overview
People
Population11,489
Median Age40.1 yrs
Density4,633/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born12.5%
Veterans3.7%
Economy
A
Median Income$148,711
Per Capita$92,547
Unemployment6.8%
Poverty0.6%
County GDP$546,441M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,672
Housing
A
Home Value$676,900
Rent$1,411
Ownership89.0%
Zillow$738,290
Housing Units4,544
Rent Burden37.2%
Crime
F
Violent81/100K
Property2,491/100K
Health
Obesity24.8%
Diabetes6.9%
Smoking7.1%
Heart Disease3.6%
Premature Death8,536/100K
Climate
Avg Temp52°F
Rain34.4 in/yr
AQI54 (Moderate)
Elevation627 ft
Education
A+
Bachelor's+73.4%
High School+96.7%
Graduate+45.5%
School Score5.2/10
Community
2024 VoteR 28% / D 70%
Commute31 min
Broadband95.7%
Internet Speed174 Mbps
EV Stations10
Libraries188
Did You Know?
The median home in River Forest was built in 1946.
17.8% of residents use public transit to commute.
23.8% work from home.
The nearest airport is Chicago O'Hare International (7 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.505 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very High" by FEMA.
7.2% of the population has a disability.
12.5% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 174 Mbps.
There are 12,631 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 365 fatal vehicle crashes.