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Park Forest, IL


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Park Forest, Illinois

Introduction to Park Forest, Illinois

Park Forest, Illinois is 10 miles SW of Hammond, Indiana (center to center) and 25 miles S of Chicago, Illinois. It is in Cook county. The village is part of the Chicago metro area. The population of Park Forest is 23,462.

Park Forest History

The area now known as Park Forest was formed in 1948. The community was originally designed by Elbert Peets for veterans returning from World War II. A number of small "starter-homes" were built in the early 1950s. In 1954, the village was honored as an ‘All-American City’. The Village of Park Forest is well known for its ‘Scenic 5’, a five mile race that is organized annually on Labor Day. The meteor that exploded over the Midwest on March 26, 2003, showered Park Forest with dozens of its fragments.

Park Forest and nearby Attractions

  • Park Forest Aqua Center
  • Matteson Historical Museum
  • Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park
  • Tinley Park Historical Society and Museum
  • Balmoral Race Track

Things To Do In Park Forest

While staying in Park Forest, you can visit Somonauk Park, Central Park, and Logan Park. Shopping can be enjoyed at the Tower Shopping Center, Norwood Plaza Shopping Center, Lincolnwood West Shopping Center, Plaza West Shopping Center, and Central Court Plaza Shopping Center. The Indiana Park, Marquette Park, Murphy Park, Winnebago Parks, Krotiak Park, and Onarga Park are also worth visiting. In addition, you can spend your leisure time at Central Park Wetlands and Thorn Creek Nature Center and Preserve.

Park Forest Transportation

International flights are available from Chicago Midway International Airport.

Park Forest Higher Education

Governors State University, South Suburban College, and Prairie State College are the nearby colleges and universities.

High Points

Park Forest strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Illinois):

CategoryTrophy
Public Transportation Use
(vs. Peers)		Top 7%Park Forest Public Transportation Use
Racial Diversity
(vs. Peers)		Top 9%Park Forest Racial Diversity
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)		Top 11%Park Forest Well-Paid Single Women
College Educated Adults
(vs. State)		Top 18%Park Forest College Educated Adults

Comparative Profile of Park Forest, IL

Comparing Park Forest to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Illinois (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Racial Diversity1010
Well-Paid Single Women99
Female Share of the Population99
Well-Paid Single Men78
Children Under 5 Years Old77
Age of the Population44
Senior Citizens43
Male Share of the Population22

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Average Household Size66
Portion of People Married32

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
College Educated Adults79
Median Family Income77
People in Middle Class or Better77
People Above Poverty76

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Public Transportation Use1010
Walking and Biking to Work46
Working at Home33
Short Commute Times12

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People Living Alone67
Affordability of Property Taxes44
Affordability of Rents32
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals36
Housing Recently Built35
Seasonal and Vacation Housing12
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Info for Park Forest Government Officials

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