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Demographic Changes in Oak Forest, Illinois: Racial Composition and Economic Trends
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
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Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Oak Forest, Illinois, is characterized as a city with Low Diversity, with a white majority comprising 70% of the population as of 2022. The city has a median income of $84,278, which is above the national average. The demographic composition has been gradually shifting over the past decade, suggesting the early stages of a Transitional Community.
Over the past decade, Oak Forest has experienced a gradual transition from a predominantly white community towards increased diversity. In 2013, the city had Low Diversity, with the white population at 75%. By 2022, the white majority decreased to 70%, indicating a slow but steady shift towards Moderate Diversity. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable at 15-16% throughout the decade. The Asian population increased from 2% in 2013 to 5% in 2022. The Black population increased from 4% to 7% during this period.
The median income in Oak Forest has fluctuated over the years but has generally remained high. It peaked in 2015 at $85,286 and experienced a dip to $80,291 in 2017 before recovering to $84,278 in 2022. This overall stability in income levels suggests that the demographic changes have not significantly impacted the economic status of the community. As the community has become slightly more diverse, the population has steadily decreased from 28,361 in 2013 to 26,580 in 2022.
The gradual increase in diversity in Oak Forest aligns with broader national trends of increasing diversity in suburban areas. Many suburbs across the United States have been experiencing similar demographic shifts, often driven by factors such as changing housing preferences, job opportunities, and generational changes in residential patterns.
Based on the observed trends, it is likely that Oak Forest will continue its trajectory towards becoming a more diverse community. If current trends persist, within the next decade, Oak Forest may transition from Low Diversity to Moderate Diversity. The white population may decrease below 70%, while Asian, Black, and Hispanic populations continue to grow. Economically, given the stability of median income despite demographic changes, it is reasonable to expect that Oak Forest will maintain its economic status. However, if the population decline continues, it could potentially impact local businesses and services.
Oak Forest appears to be in the early stages of a demographic transition, slowly moving from a Low Diversity, white-majority suburb to a more diverse community. This shift represents a change in the city's character and may bring both challenges and opportunities as the community adapts to its evolving demographic landscape.
