Village in Illinois, United States
River Forest
Weather & Forecast
River Forest is a suburban village adjacent to Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 11,717. 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. There are significant architectural designs located in River Forest such as the Winslow House by Frank Lloyd Wright. River Forest has a railroad station with service to Chicago on Metra's Union Pacific West Line.Wikipedia
The cold season is long. Rain falls fairly evenly through the year. Winter is not just a brief interruption. Noticeable daylight swing. Annual snowfall is at least 15 inches.
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Where It Is
State Context
IllinoisU.S. stateIllinois is a state in the Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash and Ohio rivers to its south. Of the fifty U.S. states, Illinois has the fifth-largest gross domestic product (GDP), the sixth-largest population, and the 25th-most land area.Wikipedia
About the Region
Great Lakes MidwestThe Great Lakes Midwest includes lakefront metropolitan areas, inland cities, university towns, and rural communities. Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and Minneapolis illustrate different urban settings within this broad grouping.
Proximity to a Great Lake can influence local weather, but lake-effect snow does not affect every city equally. Inland and southern parts of the region also differ from northern lakefront locations. Compare local snowfall, temperatures, housing, and transport rather than assuming one regional pattern.
Nearby Parks & Nature
Closest protected landscapes, reserves, and big park systems surfaced from the same nearby feeds used in compare.
Federal Park Sites
Local Nature & Reserves
City Profile
Housing Costs & Income
Livability
Not a citywide average. Walkability varies by address.
41.89800, -87.81450 · Updated 2026-08-23
Walk Score · view mapped locationClimate Through the Year
Annual average of days with more than five hours of sunshine, not necessarily clear skies.
Comfort combines temperature band fit, humidity fit, seasonal swing, and penalties for long stretches of extreme heat or cold. Higher scores mean the yearly pattern stays closer to an easier day-to-day climate band.
Natural Hazard Risk
Local Next Steps
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