Population 7,355 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Oak Forest
Household size in Oak Forest
| Period | Oak Forest | Little Rock area | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.36 | 2.51 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.31 | 2.60 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.31 | 2.57 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.36 | 2.47 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.00 | −0.04 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Oak Forest is a place of small households, averaging 2.36 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the northeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Oak Forest
| Period | Oak Forest | Little Rock area | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.1 | 36.7 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.0 | 37.3 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.3 | 38.4 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.1 | 38.6 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | −3.0 | +1.8 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Oak Forest is young: half of its residents are under 32.1, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 35.1, even as the national median rose.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Oak Forest
| Period | Oak Forest | Little Rock area | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.4% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 12.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 19.0% | 12.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 18.1% | 12.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −6.4 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Oak Forest: 18.1% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 6.4 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Oak Forest
Renters in Oak Forest
| Period | Oak Forest | Little Rock area | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 50.4% | 34.2% | 32.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 51.4% | 34.7% | 33.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 54.8% | 35.9% | 34.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 58.1% | 36.3% | 33.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +7.7 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Oak Forest rent: 58.1% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among owners, 56.6% have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 7.7 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Oak Forest
| Period | Oak Forest | Little Rock area | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.0% | 10.6% | 13.4% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.6% | 12.3% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 24.1% | 12.5% | 14.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.0% | 9.7% | 13.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Oak Forest: 16.0% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 3.1 points, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Oak Forest
| Period | Oak Forest | Little Rock area | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1960 | 1983 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1967 | 1985 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1962 | 1986 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1963 | 1988 | 1988 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +6 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in Oak Forest is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1963, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the northeast has the oldest housing. Oak Forest has older homes than at least four in five Little Rock neighborhoods.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Oak Forest
| Period | Oak Forest | Little Rock area | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $744 | $749 | $660 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $813 | $820 | $718 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $871 | $906 | $785 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,010 | $1,127 | $1,007 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$266 | +$378 | +$346 | +$606 |
Rent in Oak Forest runs $1,010 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $266 a month from 2006–10, a 36% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 39.4% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Oak Forest
Bachelor's degrees in Oak Forest
| Period | Oak Forest | Little Rock area | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.9% | 27.4% | 20.6% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.9% | 28.4% | 21.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.8% | 30.4% | 23.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.6% | 33.3% | 26.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | +5.9 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Oak Forest have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 18.6%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has edged down 1.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the east.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Oak Forest
| Period | Oak Forest | Little Rock area | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.3% | 87.9% | 82.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.0% | 89.2% | 84.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.3% | 90.4% | 86.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.2% | 92.1% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.9 pts | +4.2 pts | +6.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Oak Forest have finished high school as nationally: 90.2%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the Little Rock area as a whole (92.1%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 11.9 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Oak Forest
| Period | Oak Forest | Little Rock area | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.8% | 6.9% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.4% | 7.6% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.6% | 4.4% | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.3% | 4.4% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.5 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Oak Forest: 8.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Little Rock neighborhood has higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 7.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Oak Forest compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Forest | 2.36 | 32.1 | 18.1% | 58.1% | 16.0% | 1963 | $1,010 | 18.6% | 90.2% | 8.3% |
| Stephens | 2.14 | 37.8 | 13.2% | 51.0% | 20.0% | 1975 | $1,107 | 14.4% | 86.5% | 4.8% |
| Boyle Park | 2.10 | 28.6 | 35.5% | 44.3% | 13.6% | 1964 | $1,179 | 30.5% | 91.4% | 5.4% |
| Hillcrest | 1.93 | 42.1 | 6.1% | 38.8% | 12.1% | 1945 | $1,028 | 81.3% | 98.3% | 2.0% |
| Briarwood | 1.87 | 35.8 | 9.4% | 61.0% | 14.1% | 1979 | $1,155 | 45.5% | 95.5% | 3.8% |
| John Barrow | 2.43 | 41.8 | 17.4% | 54.4% | 13.8% | 1979 | $1,129 | 26.9% | 89.5% | 7.5% |
| South End | 1.96 | 45.3 | 18.2% | 41.0% | 27.8% | 1953 | $1,040 | 24.3% | 82.1% | 5.1% |
| Heights | 2.35 | 38.3 | 12.2% | 36.9% | 15.0% | 1961 | $1,141 | 73.6% | 98.4% | 0.9% |
| Wakefield | 2.44 | 36.4 | 24.7% | 63.2% | 19.3% | 1966 | $906 | 14.1% | 89.3% | 3.1% |
| Midtown | 2.19 | 37.9 | 8.8% | 34.0% | 12.0% | 1969 | $1,044 | 67.1% | 98.0% | 1.9% |
| Downtown Little Rock | 1.86 | 40.7 | 8.8% | 65.3% | 18.6% | 1951 | $1,011 | 53.1% | 94.7% | 5.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Bayless Atkins, Lubbock, TX · Downtown New Britain, New Britain, CT · Southeast Nashua, Nashua, NH · Madison Heights, Pasadena, CA · Mount Hope, San Diego, CA · North Omaha, Omaha, NE · Old Mountain View, Mountain View, CA · Panther Creek, The Woodlands, TX · Park Avenue, Rochester, NY · Park Central Area, Abilene, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Oak Forest. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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