Oak Park

A Chicago suburb that’s so much more than a town — it’s a way of life.

Overview for Oak Park, IL

54,100 people live in Oak Park, where the median age is 39.9 and the average individual income is $60,973. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

54,100

Total Population

39.9 years

Median Age

High

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

$60,973

Average individual Income

About Oak Park, IL Real Estate

With excellent schools, world-class architecture, extensive shopping and dining, and convenient access to public transportation, Oak Park is one of the choicest Chicago suburbs for families and young professionals seeking serenity and a sense of community for daily life. Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes and buildings line the streets, while old and new landmarks commingle, from the old horse fountain in Scoville Park to the gleaming, glassy public library. The village is visually attractive, to be sure, and endlessly appealing to those with upscale sensibilities. Bungalow-style single-family homes share the village with historic, colorful condo buildings, as well as some new apartment complexes in the downtown area.

What to Love

Preeminent architecture and historical landmarks
Easy commute to downtown Chicago via Metra, CTA, and Eisenhower Expressway
Amenities at your fingertips, from schools to shopping centers

Local Lifestyle

This super-walkable suburb draws out families, young professionals, and the older residents who have called historic Oak Park home for decades. Those who have decided to settle here enjoy the ambiance of classic Chicago, but also love the idea of lawns and bucolic streets. Amidst the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings and other notable Prairie-style architecture in the Ridgeland-Oak Park Historic District, neighbors play, shop, dine, and otherwise soak up the pleasant vibe of their hometown.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Mom-and-pop bakeries, ethnic eateries, trendy bars, and fine-dining establishments line Lake Street in the middle of town. Primary shopping outlets are found on Lake, Oak Park, and Harlem avenues.

It’s typical for Oak Park residents to turn in early after a satisfying dinner - versus heading out to find bustling nightlife - but the meal can be an occasion on its own. At Maya Del Sol, the local owners have been providing guests with authentic Latin American cuisine and handcrafted margaritas since 2007. Choose from ceviche, nachos, fresh seafood, and char-grilled steaks - washed down with margaritas shaken and served tableside. Award-winning Cucina Paradiso offers Italian family-style dining - think beef tenderloin medallions, chicken calabrese, and ricotta-stuffed gnocchi. Over at the 30-seat Sen Sushi Bar, you’ll feel the passion of owner Chaidanai Chaiprasert, who long talked about opening a sushi restaurant. Choose from a fantastic selection of sashimi and classic maki. Lalo’s and Avenue Ale House, two other Oak Park favorites, are nearby. Later, make your way to Hole in the Wall Custard for a sweet ending to the evening.

Care to cook at home? The Oak Park Farmers’ Market is held every Saturday from late May to late October. Pick up fresh produce, even doughnuts, and don’t miss the annual pie bake-off.

Things to Do

Oak Park loves its architecture, particularly the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District (which also boasts Ernest Hemingway’s Birthplace Museum). Walk or bike about the district, stopping in Scoville Square to eat and shop or nearby Scoville Park to see the World War I memorial. Peruse the Hemingway collections at the Oak Park Public Library. Unity Temple, the historic Oak Park Post Office, and the Oak Park River Forest Museum are nearby. Scoville Square also hosts concerts and movies in the summertime.

Active Oak Park residents needn’t give up their outdoor exercise routines in the colder months. The Park District of Oak Park offers a great lineup of fitness classes; there are a number of other gyms and fitness studios in downtown Oak Park.

Get a dose of nature at The Oak Park Conservatory, one of the top three historical sites in town. The conservatory is free to the public and boasts a vast array of flora and fauna throughout three indoor showrooms, as well as urban outdoor gardens.

For the architecturally minded, Oak Park is home to the Pleasant Home, which is one of the earliest and most distinguished examples of Prairie School Architecture in the nation. The 30-room mansion, built by wealthy resident John Farson in 1897, is now a museum known for its rich custom woodwork, extraordinary art-glass windows, massive fireplace, and tile work.

While Oak Park itself doesn’t contain an abundance of green spaces, Chicago’s historic Columbus Park, with a golf course, is just to the east across Austin Boulevard.

The 74-year-old Lake Theatre is a beloved Oak Park landmark, a historic building fully restored to show first-run films on seven screens with surround sound and digital projects (and free refills on popcorn and fountain drinks!). Catch theater on stage in the summer during the Oak Park Festival Theatre, a favorite cultural offering for everyone in the village.

Schools

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

Horace Mann Elementary School, K-5, highly rated public elementary school
Irving Elementary School, K-5, highly rated public elementary school
Oliver W. Holmes Elementary School, K-5, highly rated public elementary school
Oak Park & River Forest High School, 9-12, well-rated public high school

Real Estate Search Options

Search Properties by Type

LISTINGS & SALES

For Sale

Active Under Contract

Coming Soon

Pocket Listing

Search MLS

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.

Meet the Team

Demographics and Employment Data for Oak Park, IL

Population Households Employment

Oak Park has 22,793 households, with an average household size of 2.35. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Oak Park do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 54,100 people call Oak Park home. The population density is 11,511.11 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

54,100

Total Population

High

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

39.9

Median Age

47 / 53%

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

22,793

Total Households

2.35

Average Household Size

$60,973

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 Oak Park, IL

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Oak 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 Oak Park, IL

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

91

Walker's Paradise

Walking Score

65

Bikeable

Bike Score

58

Good Transit

Transit 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	3.68 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Custom Cookies by Jill page on Yelp Search Ogden Ave on Google Maps	Dining · $$	4.1 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Cake That Chicago page on Yelp	Dining · $$	2.74 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Sugar Fixation page on Yelp	Dining · $$	4.21 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Tee Tee's Sweets page on Yelp	Dining	1.05 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Paleteria y Neveria Tamarindo Loco page on Yelp Search 3240 N Pulaski Rd on Google Maps	Dining	4.88 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the FIT4MOM Oak Park River Forest page on Yelp	Active	1.72 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Sanar Aesthetics page on Yelp Search 3658 W Armitage on Google Maps	Beauty	4.21 miles	26 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Valdo’s Barbershop page on Yelp Search 128 Harrison St on Google Maps	Beauty	1.16 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Skin By tanja page on Yelp Search 7516 1/2 Madison St on Google Maps	Beauty	1.27 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Santi Botanica Wax Studio page on Yelp Search 5715 W Irving Park Rd on Google Maps	Beauty	4.66 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars