River Forest · Cook County · IL
Homes for sale in
River Forest.
- Active listings
- 19
- Median list
- $825K
- Avg time on market
- 35 days
- Sold · last year
- 0
Photo: DFHoulihan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
About the community
Living in River Forest.
River Forest is a suburban village in Cook County, Illinois, sitting directly adjacent to Chicago and roughly 12 miles west of the downtown Loop. The village is closely tied to its larger neighbor Oak Park and is bounded on the west by the Des Plaines River and the Thatcher Woods forest preserve. Its public elementary and middle schools belong to River Forest Public Schools District 90, and high schoolers attend Oak Park and River Forest High School, which the village shares with Oak Park. Commuters can ride Metra's Union Pacific West Line from the River Forest station to Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago in roughly 26 minutes. The village is best known for early 20th century residential architecture, including Frank Lloyd Wright's Winslow House, and it is home to two universities, Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago.
At a glance
~11,700 residents
River Forest had a population of 11,717 at the 2020 census across about 2.48 square miles in western Cook County.
Two universities
Dominican University, formerly Rosary College, and Concordia University Chicago both have campuses in the village.
District 90 and District 200
River Forest Public Schools District 90 covers K-8, and the village shares Oak Park and River Forest High School in District 200.
UP-W Metra
The River Forest station on the Union Pacific West Line reaches Ogilvie Transportation Center downtown in about 26 minutes.
Historic architecture
River Forest holds significant Frank Lloyd Wright and Prairie School designs, including the Winslow House.
Median income ~$149k
The median household income is about 148,711 per Data USA, reflecting an affluent, established population.
Des Plaines River edge
The western boundary follows the Des Plaines River, Thatcher Woods, and the Des Plaines River Trail.
Compact footprint
The village covers about 2.48 square miles of land and is primarily residential.
What’s close
River Forest occupies about 2.48 square miles in western Cook County, bounded by the Des Plaines River and Thatcher Woods on the west, Illinois Route 43 (Harlem Avenue) on the east, and Illinois Route 64 (North Avenue) on the north, immediately adjacent to Oak Park.
- Metra station
- The River Forest station on the Union Pacific West Line is at 8001 W. Central Avenue.
- Major roads
- The village is bordered by Illinois Route 43 (Harlem Avenue) on the east and Illinois Route 64 (North Avenue) on the north, with Lake Street running through it.
- River and parks
- The western boundary follows the Des Plaines River, the Thatcher Woods Cook County forest preserve, and the Des Plaines River Trail.
- Schools
- River Forest Public Schools District 90 operates Lincoln Elementary, Willard Elementary, and Roosevelt Middle School.
- Neighboring town
- The village is closely tied to and directly borders Oak Park to its east.
- Transit connections
- Pace runs routes along Lake Street, stopping a block from the Metra station.
What it’s actually like to live here
Daily life in River Forest centers on a quiet, tree-lined residential character anchored by its historic housing stock and proximity to Oak Park's commercial corridors. The Des Plaines River, Thatcher Woods forest preserve, and the Des Plaines River Trail along the western edge give residents direct access to open space and walking and biking paths. The presence of Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago adds a college-town dimension to the village's cultural life.
Community traditions are a notable part of local life, including a long-running annual 9/11 Lemon-Aid stand that has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local charities, and a Rotary Club food truck rally held at Keystone Park. The River Forest Park District programs parks and events, and the River Forest Public Library at 735 Lathrop Avenue serves as a community hub. The result is an established, walkable suburb where most blocks are lined with mature trees and single-family homes.
Neighborhoods
Detailed River Forest community pages coming soon.
Browse the listings above. Detailed neighborhood pages with market stats, school info, and lifestyle take-downs land here as we roll them out.
Schools
Districts serving River Forest.
Boundary lines do shift. Always confirm in writing for a specific address before writing an offer.
- D90Grades K-8
River Forest Public Schools District 90
Schools serving the area
- Lincoln Elementary School
- Willard Elementary School
- Roosevelt Middle School
District 90 serves the elementary and middle grades within the Village of River Forest. Confirm the assigned school by address before writing an offer.
- D200Grades 9-12
Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200
Schools serving the area
- Oak Park and River Forest High School
River Forest shares this single high school, located in neighboring Oak Park, with the Village of Oak Park.
From the neighborhood
Around River Forest
Real local creators on TikTok. Tap a tile to play it right here.
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@tacosdelbarrio01Estate sale day in Huntley IL #estatesale #foryoupage #parati #shopping #thrift
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@dc_cobbsCome to Saturday’s pajama crawl on the Huntley Square to try Duck A Diet’s yogurt parfait.
@huntleyareachamberAround town
What there is to do in River Forest.
A handful of the places people who live here actually use. Not a directory.
- Culture
Frank Lloyd Wright Winslow House
An early Frank Lloyd Wright residential design, completed in 1894, located on Auvergne Place in River Forest.
- Parks
Thatcher Woods
A Cook County forest preserve along the Des Plaines River on the village's western edge, with picnic groves and trails.
- Culture
Dominican University
A private university in River Forest, formerly Rosary College, renamed Dominican University in 1997.
- Culture
Concordia University Chicago
A private Lutheran university located in River Forest since 1913, with a campus on Bonnie Brae Avenue.
- Family
River Forest Park District
The local park district that operates parks and community events including the food truck rally at Keystone Park.
- Culture
River Forest Public Library
The village's public library at 735 Lathrop Avenue, a community hub for programs and events.
Getting around
Commute + transit from River Forest.
MetraUP-W line
- Stations: River Forest
- Terminal: Chicago Ogilvie (OTC)
- Distance: 12 miles to downtown Chicago
DriveBy car
- Routes: IL 43 (Harlem Avenue) · IL 64 (North Avenue) · Lake Street
- O'Hare Airport: ~18 min
- Chicago Loop: ~22 min
By the numbers
River Forest taxes + market stats.
Property tax rates vary by exact township and assessor district. Confirm per address before pricing a purchase.
Property tax rate
2.92%
effective avg
Sales tax
10.00%
combined
Median sold price
$652,500
MRED · last 12 mo (170 sales)
Median household income
$148,711
ACS
How River Forest got here
A bit of history.
The area that became River Forest was long tied to the Des Plaines River, with a steam sawmill established on the east bank in 1831 and the first planked road laid along what is now Lake Street in 1842, when the community was known as Noyesville. The Galena and Chicago Union Railroad completed tracks westward from Chicago in 1848, and train service began in January 1849. In the 1850s David Thatcher settled western River Forest, while Henry Quick, arriving from Harlem, New York, named the eastern section and Harlem Avenue after his hometown. The village developed steadily as a quiet, affluent residential community west of Oak Park.
River Forest is perhaps best known for its concentration of early 20th century American residential architecture, including several Frank Lloyd Wright designs and other works in the Prairie School tradition, with the Winslow House and the River Forest Tennis Club among the most notable. The village is also home to two universities. Concordia located here in 1913 and Rosary College in 1918, and Rosary was renamed Dominican University in 1997. Both Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago remain in River Forest today, giving the village a college-town dimension.
The questions buyers actually ask
River Forest FAQ
The questions I get most from buyers shopping River Forest. If yours isn't here, text 815-355-0582, same-day reply.
- What school districts serve River Forest?
- River Forest's public elementary and middle schools are part of River Forest Public Schools District 90, which includes Lincoln Elementary, Willard Elementary, and Roosevelt Middle School. For high school, students attend Oak Park and River Forest High School, which the village shares with neighboring Oak Park as part of District 200. There are also several private and parochial options in the village. Confirm the assigned school by address before writing an offer.
- How is the commute to downtown Chicago?
- River Forest has a Metra station on the Union Pacific West Line at 8001 W. Central Avenue, with trains reaching Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago in roughly 26 minutes. By car, the Loop is about 12 miles and around 22 minutes away outside of peak traffic. Pace bus routes also run along Lake Street, stopping a block from the Metra station.
- What are property taxes like in River Forest?
- River Forest sits in Cook County, where property taxes run high. Ownwell reports a median effective property tax rate of about 2.92 percent for the village. Actual bills vary widely by assessed value and exemptions, so buyers should review the specific property's tax history. The Cook County Assessor mails reassessment notices on the township cycle.
- Does River Forest have any universities?
- Yes, two universities call River Forest home: Dominican University, formerly Rosary College, and Concordia University Chicago. Concordia located in the village in 1913 and Rosary in 1918, with Rosary renamed Dominican University in 1997. Their campuses add a college-town character to the community.
- What kind of housing stock does River Forest have?
- River Forest is best known for its early 20th century residential architecture, including several Frank Lloyd Wright designs and other Prairie School homes. The village is a mature, established community of about 2.48 square miles, and the typical home value is around 662,000 per Zillow's index. Inventory is limited and tends to move quickly given the schools and architecture.
- What is there to do in River Forest?
- The village is known for its historic architecture, including Frank Lloyd Wright's Winslow House and other Prairie School designs. Outdoor options include Thatcher Woods, the Des Plaines River, and the Des Plaines River Trail along the western edge. The River Forest Park District runs community events like the food truck rally at Keystone Park, and the village hosts long-standing local traditions.
Nearby
Towns next to River Forest.
If you’re cross-shopping the area, these are the places that border River Forest.
Your local agent
Joe knows River Forest
Most agents will list anything. I focus on the communities I actually know, and the details that determine resale value here aren't in the MLS write-up: which lots back to open space, which streets carry the most consistent demand, which floor plans buyers ask for by name, and what each HOA actually covers.
When you're ready to tour or list, you want someone who's walked the streets, talked to the residents, and read the last 50 closed comps in this market specifically. That's how I work. Text or call any time, and I'll give you a real take, not a brochure.
- Lives in McHenry County
- Local specialist
- River Forest specialist
- Honest local market take
- Brokerocity
Thinking of selling?
What's your home actually worth?
Not a Zestimate. A real CMA from someone who's sold this neighborhood, knows the floor plan premiums, and can tell you which upgrades the buyer pool here actually pays for.
- Pricing range with comp-by-comp logic
- Pre-list improvements that pay back, and the ones that don't
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