Park Forest is a village and south suburb of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States, with a small southern portion in Will County. The village was originally designed by Loebl Schlossman & Bennett as a planned community for veterans returning from World War II. As of the 2020 census, the village had a population of 21,687. Park Forest is bordered by Olympia Fields to the north, Chicago Heights to the east, University Park to the south, and Richton Park and Matteson to the west. The village has multiple public and private schools. In addition to the arts and culture scene including Tall Grass Arts Association and the Illinois Theatre Center, residents also have access to a myriad of…

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Park Forest ranks

All →

#105Most conserved land in IL #112Most walkable in IL #124Lowest depression in IL All IL rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code60466

Area code708

Living in Park Forest

Housing in Park Forest

$161K▲ 5.1% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Park Forest home is worth about $161,000, up 5.1% in a year, 46% below the Illinois typical home.

A buyer's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market78

Sale-to-list99.8%

Sold in May21

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Park Forest

C⁺

Safety Grade C+

Park Forest reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 63% report less.

Violent crime per 1,000

Park Forest 2.8

Illinois 2.6

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Park Forest 11.6

Illinois 15.6

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Park Forest

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Most working residents leave Park Forest for work: only 3% work in town. The top destinations are Chicago (25%), Matteson (3%) and Chicago Heights (3%). Half commute less than 21 miles.

Chicago

25%

Matteson

Chicago Heights

University Park

3%Work in townlive and work in Park Forest 21 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 3,430Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Park Forest →

Health in Park Forest

Health Grade C

Healthier than 31% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 47% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Illinois

3better than IL·21worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 8 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▲ 8▼ 3 close Habits 1▲ 3▼ 0 close Care 1▲ 1▼ 5 close Mind 5▼ 0 close Everyday needs 4▼ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

6.2%Fewer adults who have had cancerIL 7.6% · better 14.7%Fewer binge drinkersIL 17.8% · better 15.8%More adults facing a utility shut-offIL 7.8% · worse

Care nearby

Franciscan Health Olympia & Chicago HeightsOlympia Fields · 3.2 mi · ER

Gps-Maurice Fitts Page Whole Health and Wellness Health CenterChicago Heights · 2.1 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Park Forest · CMS · HRSAHealth in Park Forest →

Natural hazards in Park Forest

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 46% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes

6Does Park Forest flood?paid flood claims since 1981 9Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Park Forest MapPark Forest vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Park Forest →

Climate in Park Forest

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Park Forest has chilly winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 17°, and about 28 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

35° / 20°Winter

60° / 39°Spring

82° / 61°Summer

63° / 43°Fall