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
River Forest covers 2.5 sq mi of land at 4633 people per square mile.
About River Forest, IL
River Forest is a city in Illinois with a population of 11,489. It ranks #201 among cities in Illinois by population. The median age is 40.1, older than the national median. The population is 49.6% male and 50.4% female.
The median household income in River Forest is $148,711, above the US median of $74,580. 0.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $676,900, with monthly rent averaging $1,411. The homeownership rate of 89.0% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in River Forest reflects 73.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 23.8% of workers primarily work from home, noticeably above the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 31.3 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% |
Largest cities in Illinois
Largest counties in Illinois
Part of Illinois
Metro areas in Illinois
City rankings
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).
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Statewide data for Illinois
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Illinois
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.