Riverside

A forested and historical landmark village on the outskirts of Chicago.

Overview for Riverside, IL

9,346 people live in Riverside, where the median age is 44.2 and the average individual income is $57,487. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

9,346

Total Population

44.2 years

Median Age

High

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

$57,487

Average individual Income

About Riverside, IL Real Estate

When you live in Riverside, you’re living inside or alongside a National Historic Landmark. Deemed as such in 1970, the Village has been a bucolic and satisfying hometown to those seeking to raise a family, young professionals who appreciate the proximity to Chicago, and seniors hoping to relax in a community-driven setting.

Riverside was designed by none other than famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and much of its architecture is the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and William Le Baron Jenney, among others. It will come as no surprise, then, that Riverside is a handsome place, living up to the dream of the Riverside Improvement Company back in 1869: to develop “a perfect village in a perfect setting.”

What to Love

A National Historic Landmark with a timeless atmosphere
A short ten-mile commute to Chicago and a local metro station
Walkable community with ample parkland

Local Lifestyle

Life in Riverside is tranquil, yes, but always within easy reach of the bright lights and amenities of the big city. Residents settle here to enjoy the tranquility of a rural setting and to savor the small-town charm, kept alive by the original elements of Olmsted’s design plan, from gas-lit street lanterns to ample green spaces. You can walk just about anywhere in town, adding to the community feel.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

While Chicago’s Loop may call some weekends, Riverside diners typically stay in town, thanks to a number of unbeatable restaurants and eateries. Sip sangria and tuck into tapas at Emilio’s Tapas, where your small plates and peerless paellas are served in a fun, casual, yet sophisticated setting. At Empanadus, order a few or a bunch of their irresistible hand pies, with fillings ranging from beef and BBQ pork to broccoli and apple.

Local favorite The Chew-Chew offers two levels of dining amid vintage decor that will keep your eyes roving. Order filet mignon sliders and Yukon gold potato skins, chicken-and-avocado stone-baked flatbread, and a chopped wedge salad, or sacchetti and vodka sauce. There are even “good-for-you” bowls for the more health-conscious diners, from poke tuna bowls to cauliflower concoctions.

Just want a really good sandwich? Peruse the menu at Sawmilly, known for its hand-crafted sammies, soups, salads, sides, sweets, craft beer, and more. With all manner of meat, meatballs, seafood, vegetables, and cheese, you can’t go wrong no matter what style of sandwich you order.

Things to Do

There are a number of fascinating cultural, educational, historic, and natural attractions in and around Riverside. Families love the proximity of the Brookfield Zoo, the state’s largest zoo, and just a mile down the road. From grizzly and polar bears to snow leopards and African lions, kids of all ages (and their families) will find much to gape at.

Birders adore Riverside for its plethora of migratory birds, who come into town spring and fall, thanks to the town’s location on the Mississippi Flyway. The Riverside Des Plaines River Corridor was designated an Important Bird Area by Audubon Great Lakes both for these migratory species that visit and the hundreds of local species that live here year-round.

If the village’s historic architecture isn’t enough, there’s always the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio nearby, the master’s home and studio from 1889 to 1909, as well as the Unity Temple, one of his most influential buildings.

Learn more about the village history and planning at Riverside Historical Museum, where exhibits, artifacts, photographs, and archival materials outline the work of landscape architects Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, as well as the local history dating from the Native American period to the present.

Remember, too, that the Chicago “Loop” is just 10 miles from Riverside and easily accessible via the Metra BNSF commuter rail. Take an easy day trip to visit The Adler Planetarium, The Art Institute, The Field Museum, Millennium Park, or Sears Tower.

Schools

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

Blythe Park Elementary School, K-5, highly rated public elementary school
AF Ames Elementary School, K-5, highly rated public elementary school
LJ Hauser Junior High School, 6-8, highly rated public middle school
Riverside Brookfield Township High School, 9-12, highly 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 Riverside, IL

Population Households Employment

Riverside has 3,465 households, with an average household size of 2.7. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Riverside do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 9,346 people call Riverside home. The population density is 4,724.26 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

9,346

Total Population

High

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

44.2

Median Age

48.14 / 51.86%

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

3,465

Total Households

2.7

Average Household Size

$57,487

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 Riverside, IL

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Riverside. 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 Riverside, IL

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

78

Very Walkable

Walking Score

78

Very Bikeable

Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including FIT4MOM Oak Park River Forest, Dancing Spirit Healing, and Yoga Room.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the FIT4MOM Oak Park River Forest page on Yelp	Active	3.92 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Dancing Spirit Healing page on Yelp	Active	3.44 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Yoga Room page on Yelp Search 5700 S Cicero Ave on Google Maps	Active	4.87 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the The Rock Spot page on Yelp Search 4500 S Tripp on Google Maps	Nightlife	4.68 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Estillos Barber Studio page on Yelp Search 60 Madison St on Google Maps	Beauty	3.96 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Hair By Shannon Sandlin page on Yelp Search 7761 Lake St on Google Maps	Beauty	3.95 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Spa Vie page on Yelp Search 14 W Burlington Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	2.95 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the HLB Salon page on Yelp Search 8 S Stone Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	3.39 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the House of Melanin page on Yelp Search 262 Chicago Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	4.74 miles	13 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Salon 811 page on Yelp Search 811 Burlington Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	4.5 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Redrum page on Yelp Search 6118 Roosevelt Rd on Google Maps	Beauty	3.13 miles	16 reviews	5/5 stars