River Forest, Illinois Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of River Forest, Illinois is 11,489 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 201st-largest city in Illinois. The median household income is $148,711, the median home value is $676,900, and the median age is 40.1.
The population has grown 6.5% since 2010 (11,182 → 11,909).
11,489
Population
4633
People / sq mi
$148,711
Median Income
$676,900
Median Home Value
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River Forest covers 2.5 sq mi of land at 4633 people per square mile.
About River Forest, IL
The poverty rate is what most separates River Forest from the typical city: 0.6% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. With 11,489 residents, River Forest is a city in Illinois.
Earnings sit at the high end: a median household income of $148,711, above the US median of $78,538. Poverty is among the lowest of comparable US cities, at 0.6% — below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $676,900, with typical rent around $1,411.
Degree attainment is near the top of the range for US cities: 73.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s, above the 35.0% national rate. An unusually large 23.8% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 31 minutes each way.
River Forest village Population History (2010-2024)
The city of River Forest village had a population of 11,182 in 2010 and 11,909 in 2024, a 6.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 12,220 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.51%.
11,909
Population (2024)
11,182
Population (2010)
12,220
Peak (2020)
0.51%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 11,182 |
| 2011 | 11,211 |
| 2012 | 11,252 |
| 2013 | 11,300 |
| 2014 | 11,239 |
| 2015 | 11,133 |
| 2016 | 11,018 |
| 2017 | 10,997 |
| 2018 | 10,892 |
| 2019 | 10,816 |
| 2020 | 12,220 |
| 2021 | 12,038 |
| 2022 | 11,885 |
| 2023 | 11,847 |
| 2024 | 11,909 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 80.6% |
| Black or African American | 4.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$148,711
Median Household Income
$92,547
Per Capita Income
0.6%
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$676,900
Median Home Value
$1,411
Median Rent
89.0%
Owner-Occupied
Education
96.7%
High School+
73.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
17.8%
Drive Alone
46.5%
Public Transit
23.8%
Work From Home
31.3 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
23.4%
Foreign Born
87.4%
Non-English at Home
3.7%
Veterans
7.2%
With Disability
97.8%
Health Insurance
95.9%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 31.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 21.6% |
| Information | 12.8% |
| Manufacturing | 6.2% |
| Retail Trade | 5.2% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 4.4% |
| Construction | 3.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.2% |
| Public Administration | 1.6% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.0% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
River Forest, Illinois has a population of 11,489 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 201st-largest city in Illinois.
The median household income in River Forest, Illinois is $148,711, with 0.6% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in River Forest, Illinois is $676,900, with median monthly rent at $1,411 and a homeownership rate of 89.0%.
The median age in River Forest, Illinois is 40.1 years. The population is 49.6% male and 50.4% female.
The population has grown 6.5% since 2010 (11,182 → 11,909).
Where to stay in River Forest
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.