Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Employment
Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Ratings
Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Located in the state of Illinois, Oak Forest is a medium-sized city with a population of 27,403 residents. Oak Forest has a population density of 4,551 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (80% White). Given that fact, Oak Forest could be considered less diverse than other cities. Something to be aware of when living in Oak Forest are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 32 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Oak Forest could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Oak Forest and in the areas around Oak Forest is a much easier task.
Using data and statistics Oak Forest has received a livability score of 82 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 97th percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Oak Forest is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Oak Forest is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Oak Forest ranks very well for crime (A), cost of living (B), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Oak Forest ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Oak Forest has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Oak Forest is actually affordable. The median home price for Oak Forest homes is $202,400, which is 15.8% higher than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Oak Forest, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 13.3% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Oak Forest | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 32min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.7% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.5% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 7.5% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.7% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.3% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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