Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Oak Forest, IL Population, Income & Demographics 2026

CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#64/303 Population

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

26,805

Median Agei

40.5

Race & Ethnicityi

White

64.8%17,365

Hispanic/Latino

18.4%4,932

Black

7.8%2,084

Asian

5.8%1,561

Two or More

3.1%840

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%12

Other

0%11

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.4%642

High School Diploma

25.4%4,859

Some College (<1 yr)

9.5%1,810

Some College (1+ yr)

14.9%2,841

Associate's Degree

9.8%1,863

Bachelor's Degree

21.1%4,028

Master's Degree

7.7%1,466

Professional Degree

1.1%213

Doctorate

1.3%256

HS or Higher

94.1%

BA or Higher

31.2%

Graduate+

10.1%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$255,100

Median Renti

$1,328

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

82.4%8,536

Renter-Occupied

17.6%1,819

Total Units

10,659

Homeownership

82.4%

Vacancy Rate

2.9%

Home Values

Under $50K

3.9%332

$50K–$100K

5%431

$100K–$150K

5.9%502

$150K–$200K

16.1%1,371

$200K–$300K

39.4%3,359

$300K–$500K

28%2,390

$500K–$1M

1.5%125

$1M+

0.3%26

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

187

$1,000–$1,250

277

$1,250–$1,500

705

$1,500–$2,000

123

$2,000+

220

Year Built

2020 or later

0.4%47

2010–2019

0.9%96

2000–2009

8%849

1990–1999

13.9%1,481

1980–1989

13.4%1,427

1970–1979

29.6%3,151

1960–1969

22.8%2,433

1950–1959

7.4%788

1940–1949

1.7%180

1939 or earlier

1.9%207

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

88.3%9,147

Electricity

10%1,037

Bottled/LP Gas

0.7%69

Fuel Oil

0.4%41

Other

0.3%31

No Fuel

0.3%30

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$91,990

Mean Household Incomei

$110,832

Per Capita Incomei

$43,191

Poverty Ratei

6.5%

Unemploymenti

5.4%

Labor Forcei

14,976

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

5%518

$10K–$15K

0.9%93

$15K–$20K

1.9%196

$20K–$25K

1.7%172

$25K–$30K

1.5%153

$30K–$35K

2.8%286

$35K–$40K

3.8%394

$40K–$45K

3.4%348

$45K–$50K

2.5%260

$50K–$60K

4.9%509

$60K–$75K

11.2%1,160

$75K–$100K

14.9%1,539

$100K–$125K

12.4%1,285

$125K–$150K

7%727

$150K–$200K

13.9%1,439

$200K+

12.3%1,276

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

Residentsi

Avg. Tenant Renti

$488/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

56 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers54 homes93% occupied$488/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $91,990/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $28K/yr

74%

Very low income$28K–$46K/yr

22%

Low income$46K–$74K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

82% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

90% of subsidized households are minority

38% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

44% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

13,768

Avg. Commutei

31.8 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

14,169

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

972(4.6% of civilian adults)