Oak Forest, IL Demographics

A map of Oak Forest's Population by Race

Oak Forest, Illinois has an estimated population of 26,805, a slight decrease from the 27,478 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 64.8% White, 18.4% Hispanic, 7.8% Black, 5.8% Asian, 3.1% Multiracial, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Oak Forest, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Oak Forest has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Illinois overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Oak Forest, that probability was 50.6% in 2020 and 53.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Oak Forest is ranked the 80th most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Oak Forest was ranked the 77th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Oak Forest's White Population

17,365 residents of Oak Forest, or 64.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Oak Forest is higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Oak Forest ranks 1252nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Oak Forest's White population has declined by an estimated 6.7%. White residents' share of Oak Forest's population has decreased from 67.7% to 64.8%.

Oak Forest is more White than neighboring Midlothian (46% White), Crestwood (61% White), Country Club Hills (8% White), Robbins (5% White), and Markham (9.2% White).

Oak Forest's Black Population

2,084 residents of Oak Forest, or 7.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Oak Forest is lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Oak Forest ranks 173rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Oak Forest's Black population has grown by an estimated 3.6%. Black residents' share of Oak Forest's population has increased from 7.3% to 7.8%.

Oak Forest is less Black than neighboring Midlothian (9.3% Black), Crestwood (16.3% Black), Country Club Hills (86.5% Black), Robbins (78.4% Black), and Markham (70.4% Black).

Oak Forest's Asian Population

1,561 residents of Oak Forest, or 5.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Oak Forest is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Oak Forest ranks 129th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Oak Forest's Asian population has grown by an estimated 18.9%. Asian residents' share of Oak Forest's population has increased from 4.8% to 5.8%.

Oak Forest is more Asian than neighboring Midlothian (2.9% Asian), Crestwood (1.1% Asian), Country Club Hills (0.3% Asian), Robbins (0% Asian), and Markham (0.4% Asian).

Oak Forest's Hispanic Population

4,932 residents of Oak Forest, or 18.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Oak Forest is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Oak Forest ranks 145th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Oak Forest's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Oak Forest's population has increased from 16.5% to 18.4%.

Oak Forest is more Hispanic than neighboring Crestwood (13.4% Hispanic), Country Club Hills (4.4% Hispanic), Robbins (14.1% Hispanic), and Markham (17.8% Hispanic). Oak Forest is less Hispanic than neighboring Midlothian (36% Hispanic).

Oak Forest's Native American/Other Population

23 residents of Oak Forest, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Oak Forest is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Oak Forest ranks 282nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Oak Forest's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 88.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Oak Forest's population has decreased from 0.7% to 0.1%.

Oak Forest is more Native American/Other than neighboring Crestwood (0% Native American/Other), and Markham (0% Native American/Other). Oak Forest is less Native American/Other than neighboring Midlothian (1.3% Native American/Other), and Robbins (0.6% Native American/Other).

Oak Forest's Multiracial Population

840 residents of Oak Forest, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Oak Forest is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Oak Forest ranks 946th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Oak Forest's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 3.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Oak Forest's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.1%.

Oak Forest is more Multiracial than neighboring Country Club Hills (0.7% Multiracial), Robbins (1.9% Multiracial), and Markham (2.1% Multiracial). Oak Forest is less Multiracial than neighboring Midlothian (4.3% Multiracial), and Crestwood (8.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.