River Forest, Illinois
Encyclopedia
River Forest is a suburban village in Cook County
, Illinois
, United States
. Two universities make their home in River Forest, Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago
. The village is closely tied to the larger neighboring community of Oak Park, Illinois
. There are significant architectural designs located in River Forest such as the Winslow House by Frank Lloyd Wright
. The population was 11,635 at the 2000 census.
River Forest has a railroad station
with service to Chicago
on Metra
's Union Pacific/West Line
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village
has a total area
of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), all land.
, known as Oak Park and River Forest High School
, located in Oak Park.
River Forest is home to two Catholic grade schools and one Lutheran grade school. In the Catholic schools, St. Luke parish school & St. Vincent's, 63% of the enrollments are River Forest residents. Grace Lutheran School enrolls children from 3 years old through eighth grade http://www.graceriverforest.org/pages/Grace_Our_School_Home. River Forest has one all-girls' secondary school, Trinity High School
. Only 4% of St. Vincent's alumni are from River Forest due to its location on North Avenue, since it is the only choice of Catholic schools for the southern portion of River Forest's neighbor, Elmwood Park.
River Forest also has another private school, Keystone Montessori School, established in 1994. It serves 9 months to 8th grade as an alternative learning style for children. It educates children using the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori
The River Forest Public Library
is located at 735 Lathrop Avenue.
operates the River Forest Post Office at 401 William Street.
of 2000, there were 11,635 people, 4,092 households, and 2,909 families residing in the village. The population density
was 4,638.1 people per square mile (1,789.8/km²). There were 4,232 housing units at an average density of 1,687.0 per square mile (651.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 86.35% White, 7.81% African American, 0.09% Native American, 3.13% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races
, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.01% of the population.
There were 4,092 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the village the population was out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $89,284, and the median income for a family was $122,155. Males had a median income of $89,900 versus $49,113 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $46,123. About 2.5% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.
families since the early-20th century including Tony Accardo
(boss from about 1945 to 1992) and Joseph Andriacchi
. Although not as many famous persons have resided there as have in its neighboring suburb Oak Park, former Mystery Science Theater 3000
actor Kevin Murphy
grew up in River Forest. Famed radio commentator Paul Harvey
also resided in River Forest until his death in 2009. Director of the first and second Harry Potter movies Chris Columbus
also kept a home in River Forest due to his wife's family ties, and Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano
once lived in River Forest. Kathryn McGee
, a resident of River Forest since 1956 has been recognized for founding two of the first organizations for the benefit of those with Down Syndrome
. Cook county state's attorney Anita Alvarez lives in River Forest.
Lake County, Illinois
Lake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Two universities make their home in River Forest, Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago
Concordia University Chicago
Concordia University Chicago is an American private, Lutheran liberal arts university located in the Illinois suburb of River Forest, 10 miles west of Chicago.-Description:...
. The village is closely tied to the larger neighboring community of Oak Park, Illinois
Oak Park, Illinois
Oak Park, Illinois is a suburb bordering the west side of the city of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is the twenty-fifth largest municipality in Illinois. Oak Park has easy access to downtown Chicago due to public transportation such as the Chicago 'L' Blue and Green lines,...
. There are significant architectural designs located in River Forest such as the Winslow House by Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
. The population was 11,635 at the 2000 census.
River Forest has a railroad station
River Forest (Metra)
River Forest is a Metra commuter railroad station in River Forest, a western suburb of Chicago, on the Union Pacific/West Line. Trains go east to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago and as far west as Elburn, Illinois. Travel time to Ogilvie is 20 to 24 minutes.The station is at Central...
with service to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
on Metra
Metra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
's Union Pacific/West Line
Union Pacific/West Line
The Union Pacific/West is a commuter rail line provided by Metra and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad in Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding suburbs...
.
Geography
River Forest is located at 41°53′35"N 87°49′2"W (41.893031, -87.817182).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
has a total area
Area
Area is a quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional surface or shape in the plane. Area can be understood as the amount of material with a given thickness that would be necessary to fashion a model of the shape, or the amount of paint necessary to cover the surface with a single coat...
of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), all land.
Education
There are two public elementary schools, Lincoln Elementary School and Willard Elementary School. There is one public middle school, Theodore Roosevelt Middle School. River Forest shares a high school with Oak ParkOak Park, Illinois
Oak Park, Illinois is a suburb bordering the west side of the city of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is the twenty-fifth largest municipality in Illinois. Oak Park has easy access to downtown Chicago due to public transportation such as the Chicago 'L' Blue and Green lines,...
, known as Oak Park and River Forest High School
Oak Park and River Forest High School
Oak Park and River Forest High School, or OPRF, is a public four-year high school located in Oak Park, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is the only school of Oak Park and River Forest District 200....
, located in Oak Park.
River Forest is home to two Catholic grade schools and one Lutheran grade school. In the Catholic schools, St. Luke parish school & St. Vincent's, 63% of the enrollments are River Forest residents. Grace Lutheran School enrolls children from 3 years old through eighth grade http://www.graceriverforest.org/pages/Grace_Our_School_Home. River Forest has one all-girls' secondary school, Trinity High School
Trinity High School (River Forest, Illinois)
Trinity High School is a Roman Catholic college preparatory high school for girls located in River Forest, Illinois. Located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, it was founded in 1918 by members of the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters...
. Only 4% of St. Vincent's alumni are from River Forest due to its location on North Avenue, since it is the only choice of Catholic schools for the southern portion of River Forest's neighbor, Elmwood Park.
River Forest also has another private school, Keystone Montessori School, established in 1994. It serves 9 months to 8th grade as an alternative learning style for children. It educates children using the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori
The River Forest Public Library
River Forest Public Library
The River Forest Public Library is located at 735 Lathrop in River Forest, Illinois. The library serves the local community and is also part of the Metropolitan Library System, which connects libraries in the south and west suburbs of Chicago through a shared catalog and other services...
is located at 735 Lathrop Avenue.
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the River Forest Post Office at 401 William Street.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 11,635 people, 4,092 households, and 2,909 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,638.1 people per square mile (1,789.8/km²). There were 4,232 housing units at an average density of 1,687.0 per square mile (651.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 86.35% White, 7.81% African American, 0.09% Native American, 3.13% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.01% of the population.
There were 4,092 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the village the population was out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $89,284, and the median income for a family was $122,155. Males had a median income of $89,900 versus $49,113 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $46,123. About 2.5% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
River Forest has been home to many notorious Italian organized crimeOrganized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
families since the early-20th century including Tony Accardo
Tony Accardo
Antonino Joseph Accardo , also known as "Joe Batters" or "Big Tuna", rose from small-time hoodlum to the position of day-to-day boss of the Chicago Outfit in 1947, to ultimately become the final Outfit authority in 1972, until his death...
(boss from about 1945 to 1992) and Joseph Andriacchi
Joseph Andriacchi
Joseph "The Builder" Andriacchi has been reported by Chicago newspapers to be a high-ranking member of the Chicago Outfit criminal organization.-Chicago Outfit career:...
. Although not as many famous persons have resided there as have in its neighboring suburb Oak Park, former Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
actor Kevin Murphy
Kevin Murphy (actor)
Kevin Wagner Murphy is an American actor and writer best known as the voice and puppeteer of Tom Servo on the Peabody Award-winning comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000.- Early career :...
grew up in River Forest. Famed radio commentator Paul Harvey
Paul Harvey
Paul Harvey Aurandt , better known as Paul Harvey, was an American radio broadcaster for the ABC Radio Networks. He broadcast News and Comment on weekday mornings and mid-days, and at noon on Saturdays, as well as his famous The Rest of the Story segments. His listening audience was estimated, at...
also resided in River Forest until his death in 2009. Director of the first and second Harry Potter movies Chris Columbus
Chris Columbus (filmmaker)
Christopher Joseph "Chris" Columbus is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Columbus had his largest success with the first two films in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, along with Home Alone, the last...
also kept a home in River Forest due to his wife's family ties, and Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Alberto Zambrano is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Zambrano, who stands 6' 5" and weighs 260 pounds, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 1997 and made his debut in 2001...
once lived in River Forest. Kathryn McGee
Kathryn McGee
Kathryn McGee has been recognized for founding two of the first organizations for the benefit of those with Down Syndrome. She is retired and living in River Forest, Illinois. She worked seeking recognition, rights and opportunities for people with Down Syndrome...
, a resident of River Forest since 1956 has been recognized for founding two of the first organizations for the benefit of those with Down Syndrome
Down syndrome
Down syndrome, or Down's syndrome, trisomy 21, is a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British physician who described the syndrome in 1866. The condition was clinically described earlier in the 19th...
. Cook county state's attorney Anita Alvarez lives in River Forest.