Living in Park Forest, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Park Forest · Census data 2020–2024
Park Forest has 21,156 residents with a median age of 36.9. The median household income is $61,072 (27% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $115,300, the median rent is $1,365/month.
Park Forest at a glance
- Population
- 21,156
- Median age
- 36.9State: 39
- Median household income
- $61,072State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $115,300State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $1,365/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 65.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.3%
- Average commute
- 32 min
Is Park Forest a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 56% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 27% lower than the Illinois median; an average commute of 32 minutes; unemployment of 8.7%; a poverty rate of 17.6%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Park Forest
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Park Forest the median home value is $115,300, 65% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,365 per month, which is 28.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,568 a month in housing costs.
Park Forest median household income
The median household income in Park Forest is $61,072 and the income per person is $30,021. 17.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Park Forest: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 8,841
- Owner-occupied
- 65.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 34.2%
- Vacant
- 8.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1958
- Average household size
- 2.53
Park Forest demographics
- Population
- 21,156
- Median age
- 36.9
- Under 18
- 23.1%
- 65 and older
- 15.8%
- Households
- 8,129
- Foreign-born
- 7.3%
- Veterans
- 4.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Park Forest ›
Education in Park Forest
24.3% of adults 25 and older in Park Forest have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 8.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Park Forest
- Unemployment rate
- 8.7%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 32 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 7.6%
- Drive alone
- 79%
- Public transit
- 5.1%
- Walk to work
- 0.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.3%
Park Forest vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Forest | 21,156 | $61,072 | $115,300 | $1,365 |
| South Chicago Heights | 3,907 | $58,691 | $149,300 | $1,196 |
| University Park | 7,306 | $73,844 | $153,200 | $1,649 |
| Olympia Fields | 4,734 | $123,875 | $329,000 | $3,501 |
| Richton Park | 12,521 | $64,554 | $220,900 | $1,294 |
| Chicago Heights | 26,736 | $54,798 | $161,000 | $1,038 |
| Matteson | 18,645 | $95,457 | $250,600 | $1,580 |
| Steger | 9,418 | $66,575 | $156,700 | $1,076 |
| Flossmoor | 9,391 | $133,663 | $344,800 | $2,164 |
More for people moving to Park Forest
Park Forest ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Park Forest: FAQ
What is the median household income in Park Forest, IL?
The median household income in Park Forest is $61,072, 27% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Park Forest?
The median home value in Park Forest is $115,300, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Park Forest?
The median gross rent in Park Forest is $1,365 per month, about 28.8% of household income.
Is Park Forest, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 56% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 27% lower than the Illinois median; an average commute of 32 minutes; unemployment of 8.7%; a poverty rate of 17.6%.
What is the median age in Park Forest?
The median age in Park Forest is 36.9 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Park Forest?
The average commute to work in Park Forest is 32 minutes; 7.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Park Forest?
The unemployment rate in Park Forest is 8.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Park Forest?
24.3% of adults in Park Forest have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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