Oak Forest, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oak Forest, Illinois
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Cicero Avenue in Oak Forest
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| Motto(s):
All Good Things Close To Home
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Location of Oak Forest in Cook County, Illinois
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 Oak Forest, Illinois
Location in Greater Chicago
Oak Forest, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Oak Forest, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Illinois | ||
| County | Cook | ||
| Township | Bremen | ||
| Incorporated | 1800 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor–council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 6.07 sq mi (15.72 km2) | ||
| • Land | 6.02 sq mi (15.60 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.12 km2) 0.83% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 27,478 | ||
| • Density | 4,563.69/sq mi (1,761.94/km2) | ||
| Standard of living (2009–11) | |||
| • Per capita income | ,199 | ||
| • Median home value | 6,200 | ||
| ZIP code(s) |
60452
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| Area code(s) | 708 | ||
| Geocode | 54638 | ||
| FIPS code | 17-54638 | ||
Oak Forest is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located about 24 miles (39 km) southwest of downtown Chicago. In 2020, the city had a population of 27,478 people.
Contents
History of Oak Forest
Early Settlements
People have lived in the Oak Forest area for a very long time. Evidence of ancient hunting camps has been found where the city's hospital now stands. Later, the Potawatomi people built a village with longhouses nearby. This village was left empty by the 1620s.
How Oak Forest Began
The city of Oak Forest started as a train stop on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. This stop was mainly used by dairy farmers. It was in a heavily wooded area known for its many oak trees. By the 1880s, people started calling this area "Oak Forest." A road leading to this forest was even named "Oak Forest Avenue."
The Oak Forest Infirmary
In 1907, Cook County decided to build a large facility for people in need. This included those experiencing poverty or mental health issues. It was built near the train tracks at 159th Street and Cicero Avenue. A new train station was also built to make it easy to get to the facility.
The Oak Forest Infirmary opened in 1910. It helped nearly 2,000 people at first. Residents at the Infirmary also helped work on the nearby farms. By 1932, the facility was helping over 4,000 patients.
Growth of the Community
After the Infirmary opened, a small town grew around it. Workers from the facility and relatives of patients lived there. By the 1920s, new neighborhoods were being built. In 1940, 611 people lived outside the hospital grounds. The hospital also created other businesses, like funeral homes.
In the 1930s, some people tried to rename the community "Arbor Park." This name didn't stick for the whole town. However, it is still used for the Arbor Park School District 145. In 1947, with 1,618 residents, the area officially became the Village of Oak Forest. It became a city in 1971.
Goeselville Settlement
Another small settlement called Goeselville was established around 1861. It had a post office from 1884 to 1903. At its busiest, about 30 people lived there, with a few stores for farmers. Parts of Goeselville are now within the northwest part of Oak Forest.
Recent Weather Events
On August 10, 2020, a strong windstorm called an EF1 tornado hit Oak Forest. It caused a lot of damage to trees and led to long power outages. Most of the damage was in the northern part of the city.
Geography of Oak Forest
Oak Forest is part of the larger Chicago metropolitan area. It is mostly surrounded by Cook County Forest Preserves. These are large natural areas, which is how the city got its name.
Neighboring Communities
Oak Forest has several towns nearby:
- Crestwood to the north
- Midlothian to the northeast
- Markham to the east
- Country Club Hills to the southeast
- Tinley Park to the southwest
- Orland Park to the west
- Palos Heights to the northwest, past Bachelor's Grove Cemetery and Forest Preserve
The city covers about 6.07 square miles (15.72 km2) of land. Only a small part, about 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2), is water.
City Wards
Oak Forest is divided into 7 areas called wards. Each ward has an Alderman who represents its residents.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1950 | 1,856 | — | |
| 1960 | 3,724 | 100.6% | |
| 1970 | 19,271 | 417.5% | |
| 1980 | 25,040 | 29.9% | |
| 1990 | 26,203 | 4.6% | |
| 2000 | 28,051 | 7.1% | |
| 2010 | 27,962 | −0.3% | |
| 2020 | 27,478 | −1.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 |
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In 2020, Oak Forest had 27,478 people living in 10,102 households. About 7,219 of these were families. The city had about 4,527 people per square mile.
Most people in Oak Forest are White (71.60%). Other groups include African American (7.52%), Asian (4.82%), and Native American (0.59%). About 16.53% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
About 30% of households had children under 18. Many households (56.67%) were married couples. The average household had 3.23 people. The average family had 2.71 people.
The median age in Oak Forest was 42.0 years. This means half the people were older than 42, and half were younger. About 21.3% of the population was under 18.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 24,297 | 21,445 | 18,606 | 86.62% | 76.69% | 67.71% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,006 | 1,248 | 2,012 | 3.59% | 4.46% | 7.32% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 30 | 29 | 67 | 0.11% | 0.10% | 0.24% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 736 | 1,076 | 1,313 | 2.62% | 3.85% | 4.78% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 13 | 33 | 121 | 0.05% | 0.12% | 0.44% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 320 | 377 | 815 | 1.14% | 1.35% | 2.97% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,645 | 3,753 | 4,541 | 5.86% | 13.42% | 16.53% |
| Total | 28,051 | 27,962 | 27,478 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Arts and Culture
From 1987 to 2019, Oak Forest hosted a festival called Oak Fest. It took place in early July. The festival featured music, carnival rides, and fireworks. In 2020, the group that organized the event stopped, and Oak Fest ended after 32 years.
Education in Oak Forest
Oak Forest has several public school districts for younger students:
- Forest Ridge School District 142
- Arbor Park School District 145
- Tinley Park Community Consolidated School District 146
There is also one private elementary school, St. Damian School. It teaches students from Pre-K through 8th grade.
High Schools
Oak Forest is home to Oak Forest High School. This is one of four high schools in the Bremen Community High School District 228. Some students from Oak Forest also attend Tinley Park High School. Smaller parts of Oak Forest go to Victor J. Andrew High School or Carl Sandburg High School.
Higher Education
For education after high school, Oak Forest is part of Community College District 510. This includes South Suburban College. There are also branches of other universities nearby, such as University of St. Francis, Chicago State University, Governors State University, and Illinois Institute of Technology.
Notable Places
- Oak Forest Hospital of Cook County: A large hospital that specializes in long-term care for patients.
- Bachelor's Grove Cemetery: This cemetery is near Oak Forest in the Rubio Forest Preserve.
Transportation
Oak Forest has several important roads. U.S. Route 6 (159th Street) and Illinois Route 50 (Cicero Avenue) are key routes. Central Avenue is like the main street. You can find the local grocery stores, post office, library, and high school there.
Highways and Buses
Interstate 57 passes through the southeast part of Oak Forest. The closest exit is 346 (167th Street). The Tri-State Tollway (I-294) is also a few miles east.
Several Pace (transit) bus routes serve Oak Forest:
- Route 354 runs along 147th and Central Avenue.
- Route 364 runs along 159th Street (U.S. Route 6).
- Route 383 runs along Cicero Avenue (Illinois Route 50).
Train Service
The Oak Forest station is a popular train stop for people who travel to Chicago. It is located at 159th and Cicero. This station is part of the Rock Island District Metra line. It connects Joliet to the LaSalle Street Station in Chicago.
Recent Developments
Gateway Project
In 2005, the city announced plans for the "Gateway Project." This project aimed to build new shops and homes at 159th Street and Cicero Avenue. The goal was to bring more businesses and increase the city's tax income.
Construction started in 2008. The project was planned to add over 50,000 square feet (5,000 m2) of new stores and restaurants. It also included about 80 new homes. By 2012, only two buildings were finished. A two-unit building was added in 2016.
Fresenius Medical Care Center
In June 2012, the city council approved plans for the Fresenius Medical Care Center. This center is a kidney dialysis facility. It was built near 159th Street on Lorel Avenue. Construction began in October 2012 and was completed in spring 2013.
Notable People
- Robbie Avila, basketball player for Indiana State University.
- Tim Byrdak, former Major League baseball pitcher.
- Tevin Coleman, NFL running back.
- Jason Frasor, former Major League baseball pitcher.
- Virginia Frederick, Illinois state representative.
- Tom Gorzelanny, former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Lee Martin, Pulitzer Prize Finalist and author.
- Chris Medina, competed on American Idol.
- Bob O'Dekirk, Former Mayor of Joliet, Illinois.
- Garry Meier, Chicago radio personality.
- Jimmy Pardo, comedian and podcast host.
- Rick Paulas, writer.
- George Saunders, short story writer and essayist.
- Lisa Joann Thompson, dancer, actress, and choreographer.
- Rick Gorecki, former Major League baseball pitcher.
See also
In Spanish: Oak Forest (Illinois) para niños
