What are the schools like in Park Forest, IL?

Park Forest is served primarily by Park Forest SD 163. The district operates 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and several high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.8:1.

What is the median household income in Park Forest?

The median household income in Park Forest, IL is $58,907 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.4%.

What is the weather like in Park Forest, IL?

Park Forest has an average high temperature of 31.1°F in January and 83.9°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 42.1 inches and annual snowfall averages 28.2 inches.

Park Forest, IL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Park Forest, IL affordable or expensive?

Park Forest's cost of living index is 103, where 100 represents the national average. This means Park Forest is 3% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $94,700 and the median rent is $1,370 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Park Forest, IL?

Park Forest has a violent crime rate of 283.1 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1508.3 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Park Forest, IL a Good Place to Live?

Park Forest is a small city of 21,042 in Illinois, with a median household income of $58,907 and a 8.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 103 (US average = 100), which is 3% above the national average.

Strengths: Park Forest stands out for below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Park Forest is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Park Forest city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 102.6

Park Forest's overall cost of living index is 102.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Park Forest costs roughly 3% more than the average American city.

Metric	Park Forest, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$94,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,370	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	61.3%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$58,907	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Park Forest's violent crime rate is 283.1 per 100,000 residents — 25% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

283.1 /100k

Property Crime

1508.3 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Park Forest is served primarily by Park Forest SD 163. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Park Forest, IL	National Avg
School District	Park Forest SD 163	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.8:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	26.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	91.1%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Park Forest sees average highs of 31.1°F in January and 83.9°F in July, with 42.1 inches of annual precipitation and 28.2 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Park Forest, IL
Average High — January	31.1°F
Average High — July	83.9°F
Annual Precipitation	42.1"
Annual Snowfall	28.2"

Demographics

Metric	Park Forest, IL	National Avg
Population	21,042	—
Median Age	37.4	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	33.0 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	19.4%	59.3%
Black or African American	71.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	5.7%	18.9%
Asian	0.4%	6.3%
Under 18	25.3%	22.2%
65 and over	15.4%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

South Chicago Heights, IL 3 mi University Park, IL 3 mi Olympia Fields, IL 3 mi Richton Park, IL 3 mi Chicago Heights, IL 3 mi

ZIP Codes in Park Forest

Park Forest, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

60466

Park Forest vs Other Cities

Park Forest, IL vs South Chicago Heights, IL Park Forest, IL vs University Park, IL Park Forest, IL vs Olympia Fields, IL Park Forest, IL vs Richton Park, IL Park Forest, IL vs Chicago Heights, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Park Forest, IL affordable or expensive?

Park Forest's cost of living index is 103, where 100 is the national average. That puts Park Forest roughly 3% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $94,700 and median rent is $1,370/month.

What is the crime rate in Park Forest, IL?

Park Forest's violent crime rate is 283.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1508.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Park Forest?

Public schools in Park Forest are operated by Park Forest SD 163. The district has 3 elementary, 2 middle, and several high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1. 26.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Park Forest, IL a good place to live?

Park Forest, IL has a population of 21,042, a median household income of $58,907, and an unemployment rate of 8.4%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Park Forest?

Park Forest averages 31.1°F in January and 83.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 42.1 inches with about 28.2 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Park Forest?

Park Forest, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 60466.

What is the population of Park Forest?

The population of Park Forest, Illinois is 21,042 with a median age of 37.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Park Forest?

Key numbers for living in Park Forest: cost of living index 103 (100 = US average), median home $94,700, median household income $58,907, crime index 73 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Park Forest side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.