River Forest

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River Forest is an affluent suburban village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Two universities make their home in River Forest, Dominican University and Concordia University. The Dominican Priory of the noted preparatory school Fenwick High School (Oak Park, Illinois) is also located in River Forest, and the village is closely tied to the well-known 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 been home to many notorious Italian organized crime families since the early twentieth 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 star pitcher Carlos Zambrano currently lives in River Forest.

River Forest has a railroad station with service to Chicago on Metra's Union Pacific/West Line.

Geography

River Forest is located at 41°53′35″N 87°49′2″W / 41.89306°N 87.81722°W / 41.89306; -87.81722 (41.893031, -87.817182)^[1].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), all land.

Education

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There are two public elementary schools, Lincoln and Willard. There is one public middle school, Theodore Roosevelt Middle School. There is no public high school in River Forest, but it shares a high school with Oak Park. River Forest is home to two Catholic grade schools, St. Luke's & St. Vincent's although these schools are only 63% attended by River Forest residents.

River Forest has one all-girls' secondary school, Trinity High School, Lincoln Elementary School, Willard Elementary, and Roosevelt Middle School. Also River Forest has two catholic schools St. Luke and St. Vincent. St. Vincent, though, is only 4% River Forest Alumni because, located on North Avenue, it is the only choice of catholic schools for the southern portion of River Forest's neighbor, Elmwood Park. There is also a K-8 Lutheran School at Grace Lutheran Church on Division Street.

Government and infrastructure

The United States Postal Service operates the River Forest Post Office at 401 William Street.^[2]

Demographics

As of the census^[3] 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/sq mi (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.

References

1. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
2. ^ "Post Office™ Location - RIVER FOREST." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on April 17, 2009.
3. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 

External links

• Village of River Forest website
• Wednesday Journal newspaper of Oak Park and River Forest
• River Forest Public Library
• Oak Park - River Forest Chamber of Commerce
• River Forest Community Center

• River Forest, Illinois is at coordinates 41°53′35″N 87°49′02″W / 41.893031°N 87.817182°W / 41.893031; -87.817182 (River Forest, Illinois)Coordinates: 41°53′35″N 87°49′02″W / 41.893031°N 87.817182°W / 41.893031; -87.817182 (River Forest, Illinois)

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	River Grove, Illinois	Elmwood Park, Illinois	Austin, Chicago	v • d • e
	Melrose Park, Illinois		Oak Park, Illinois
		River Forest, Illinois
	Maywood, Illinois	Forest Park, Illinois