City profile
Park Forest, IL
Will County · Population 21,156
Park Forest is a town in Will County, IL with about 21,156 residents and a typical home value near $115,000. It is 27 miles from Chicago, IL, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
27°F
Summer avg
74°F
Sunny days / yr
189
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$115,300
Typical monthly housing
$825
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
81
Taxes
- Property tax
- 2.07%
- State income tax (top)
- 4.95%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 8.86%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Very High · county score 100/100
Top hazards: Winter weather, Cold wave, Tornado
Nearest major airport
21 mi to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Competitive / purple · 50% Democratic / 49% Republican
Community
Population
21,156
Black population
67.9%
County
Will County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸More retirees are leaving IL than arriving, mostly over cost
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: severe storms
Highlights
- About 21,156 residents
- Typical home value about $115,000
- 27 miles from Chicago, IL
Trade-offs
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.