River Forest, IL Demographics

A map of River Forest's Population by Race

River Forest, Illinois has an estimated population of 11,992, a slight increase from the 11,717 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 77.8% White, 6.9% Hispanic, 5.5% Asian, 4.9% Black, 4.9% Multiracial, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of River Forest, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

River Forest has become considerably less 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 River Forest, that probability was 47.6% in 2020 and 38.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

River Forest is ranked the 199th 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). River Forest was ranked the 201st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

River Forest's White Population

9,331 residents of River Forest, or 77.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in River Forest is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. River Forest ranks 1231st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, River Forest's White population has grown by an estimated 12.3%. White residents' share of River Forest's population has increased from 70.9% to 77.8%.

River Forest is more White than neighboring Forest Park (51% White), Elmwood Park (55.3% White), Maywood (4.5% White), Oak Park (61.5% White), and River Grove (52.5% White).

River Forest's Black Population

586 residents of River Forest, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in River Forest is lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. River Forest ranks 172nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, River Forest's Black population has declined by an estimated 32.6%. Black residents' share of River Forest's population has decreased from 7.4% to 4.9%.

River Forest is more Black than neighboring Elmwood Park (1.3% Black), and River Grove (2.1% Black). River Forest is less Black than neighboring Forest Park (24% Black), Maywood (55.1% Black), and Oak Park (17.8% Black).

River Forest's Asian Population

659 residents of River Forest, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in River Forest is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. River Forest ranks 74th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, River Forest's Asian population has declined by an estimated 29.3%. Asian residents' share of River Forest's population has decreased from 8.0% to 5.5%.

River Forest is more Asian than neighboring Elmwood Park (2.8% Asian), Maywood (1.3% Asian), Oak Park (5.1% Asian), and River Grove (4.7% Asian). River Forest is less Asian than neighboring Forest Park (8.8% Asian).

River Forest's Hispanic Population

825 residents of River Forest, or 6.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in River Forest is considerably lower than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. River Forest ranks 305th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, River Forest's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 16.8%. Hispanic residents' share of River Forest's population has decreased from 8.5% to 6.9%.

River Forest is less Hispanic than neighboring Forest Park (12.4% Hispanic), Elmwood Park (39.7% Hispanic), Maywood (36.9% Hispanic), Oak Park (9.3% Hispanic), and River Grove (40% Hispanic).

River Forest's Native American/Other Population

3 residents of River Forest, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in River Forest is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. River Forest ranks 179th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, River Forest's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 97.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of River Forest's population has decreased from 0.9% to 0.0%.

River Forest is less Native American/Other than neighboring Forest Park (1% Native American/Other), Elmwood Park (0.2% Native American/Other), Maywood (0.3% Native American/Other), and Oak Park (0.3% Native American/Other).

River Forest's Multiracial Population

588 residents of River Forest, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in River Forest is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. River Forest ranks 405th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, River Forest's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 14.2%. Multiracial residents' share of River Forest's population has increased from 4.4% to 4.9%.

River Forest is more Multiracial than neighboring Forest Park (2.8% Multiracial), Elmwood Park (0.6% Multiracial), Maywood (1.9% Multiracial), and River Grove (0.7% Multiracial). River Forest is less Multiracial than neighboring Oak Park (5.9% 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.