Forest Park

A vibrant community is a very essence of “urban-suburban.”

Overview for Forest Park, IL

14,297 people live in Forest Park, where the median age is 42.4 and the average individual income is $47,658. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

14,297

Total Population

42.4 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$47,658

Average individual Income

About Forest Park, IL Real Estate

Just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago — and, as its residents would say, worth every minute — Forest Park is the epitome of a live-work-play neighborhood. From original cobblestone streets that speak to the area’s history to some of the best dining and entertainment in the western suburbs, Forest Park checks all the boxes you want for a peaceful, yet vibrant place to live and raise a family.

What to Love

An active, diverse community with plenty of community events
Small town charm with a preserved history
A quick commute to downtown Chicago via blue and green lines

Local Lifestyle

Forest Park residents embrace the “urban-suburban” feel of their neighborhood. They’re active, diverse, and love to celebrate Forest Park’s rich history and small-town charm. Their kids attend excellent public schools and play in year-round parks and rec sports leagues. Families can walk to town for dinner and entertainment, or visit one of the best public libraries in the state. With its generous choice of housing opportunities, multiple transportation options, civic price, and time-honored sense of community, Forest Park is a suburban sweet spot.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

With so much great dining, all the shopping you need, and excellent entertainment choices, Forest Park provides its residents ample reasons to come home at day’s end and stay put and keep them there on weekends, too. (Of course, downtown Chicago is just 20 minutes away, should the need to explore arise.) Start your search for a dinner spot on Madison Street, home to outstanding restaurants and eateries, many of which are locally owned.

Madison Park Kitchen offers “carefree feasting” seven days a week, with a traditional breakfast and lunch menu that caters to all tastes. Order the baked apple pancake or a frittata, or come in one of the homemade daily soups and a burger or wrap. Beloved Scratch Kitchen is all about burgers, beer, and good times, the perfect spot for a Friday night week wrap-up. Share an order of fries that tops a pound - whether you prefer them classic-style or topped with butter, garlic, parmesan, and parsley, European-style. Locals love McGaffer's, a neighborhood favorite since 1979. Come inside the cozy hangout, or sit in the private, year-round beer garden, catching up with friends and enjoying beer nuggets, deep-fried baby bread smothered in garlic butter, and served with a homemade marinara sauce for dipping - who can resist? Over at The Golden Steer, there’s an old-school chophouse ambiance — along with the excellent steak, chops, and ribs, be sure to order the world-famous French onion soup.

As for shopping, you’ll find much to choose from - both from locally-owned shopkeepers and nationally recognized brands - along Madison Street and in the greater Oak Park area. If you’re in the market for art, shop the annual Riverside Arts Festival and Brookfield Fine Arts Festival, or browse the Garage Galleries in August, a casual neighborhood experience during which residents turn their garages into gallery exhibition spaces.

Things to Do

Forest Park residents are an active bunch, including their kiddos. Families can play and swim together at the Aquatic Center, located at the Park District of Forest Park, with its two large water slides and volleyball courts. There’s an upgraded soccer field and an inline skate park on the grounds, too.

The park district also maintains several “pocket parks” around town, including Lathrop, Remembrance Park, Popelka Park, Reiger Park, and the beloved Forest Park Dog Park.

No matter what time of year it is, there’s always something going on in Forest Park. From the Wine Walk & Shop to the tongue-in-cheek Casket Races (an ode to the number of historic cemeteries in town). to the St. Patrick’s Day parade, there’s an event for all tastes. Shop and ship during the Spring Wine Walk, then come back at the holidays for the live window displays, merchant open houses, horse-drawn carriage rides, and ice sculptures.

Residents and visitors alike love Ferrara Pan Candy, home to the classic Lemonheads, Atomic Fireballs, Now & Laters, and Chuckles sweet treats. Don’t forget to visit the Ferrara outlet store. And don’t miss the Altenheim, an original Victorian building that was opened as the American-German Old People’s Home in 1885. Today, you can stroll through the historic cemetery and see where famous Hollywood movie scenes were shot, including The Package and The Babe.

Schools

Forest Park is home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:

Grant White Elementary School, 3-5, well-rated public elementary school
Field Stevenson Elementary School, 3-5, well-rated public elementary school
Proviso Central Math and Science Academy High School, 9-12, well-rated public high school

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Andy Gagliardo

Lead Real Estate Agent

Gagliardo Group/Compass is in the business of matching buyers and sellers in the residential and investment markets in Oak Park, River Forest, and the greater Chicagoland area by providing high quality services to our clients and maintaining the highest ethical standards. By visiting our site alone you will receive the most accurate, up to date real estate listings available.

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Demographics and Employment Data for Forest Park, IL

Population Households Employment

Forest Park has 6,961 households, with an average household size of 2.02. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Forest Park do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 14,297 people call Forest Park home. The population density is 5,952.91 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

14,297

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

42.4

Median Age

46.88 / 53.12%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

6,961

Total Households

2.02

Average Household Size

$47,658

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in Forest Park, IL

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Forest Park. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name

Around Forest Park, IL

There's plenty to do around Forest Park, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

75

Very Walkable

Walking Score

50

Bikeable

Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including GU!LT A Cake Pop Company, Custom Cookies by Jill, and Cake That Chicago.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the GU!LT A Cake Pop Company page on Yelp	Dining	2.69 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Custom Cookies by Jill page on Yelp Search Ogden Ave on Google Maps	Dining · $$	3.08 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Cake That Chicago page on Yelp	Dining · $$	3.83 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Tee Tee's Sweets page on Yelp	Dining	1.81 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Mp Mall page on Yelp Search 3973 W Madison St on Google Maps	Shopping	4.75 miles	10 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Absolution CrossFit page on Yelp Search 700 E Elm Ave on Google Maps	Active	4.63 miles	12 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Valdo’s Barbershop page on Yelp Search 128 Harrison St on Google Maps	Beauty	1.95 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Skin By tanja page on Yelp Search 7516 1/2 Madison St on Google Maps	Beauty	0.78 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Frank's Barbers Shop page on Yelp Search 408 S Oak Park Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	1.43 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Prime Cuts I page on Yelp Search 76 S La Grange Rd on Google Maps	Beauty	4.74 miles	15 reviews	5/5 stars