Town guide · Cook County · Illinois

Living in Oak Park

Moving here from out of town? Here are the facts newcomers ask about first: schools, utilities, commute and where to start. Everything links to an official source so you can check it yourself. We don't rank towns or schools.

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At a glance

Oak Park: the basics

CountyCook County
Population54,583 (2020 Census)
Town websiteoak-park.us
Getting aroundCTA Green Line; CTA Blue Line (Forest Park branch); Metra Union Pacific West (UP-W)
DriveTo the Chicago Loop: about 9 miles (estimate — traffic varies)
LibraryOak Park Public Library
ParksPark District of Oak Park
Schools

Public school districts

These public school districts serve Oak Park. Each card links to the district's own website and to the state's official school data page, so you can look at the numbers yourself.

Public school district

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (Pre-K-8)

District website · Illinois Report Card

Public school district

Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200

District website · Illinois Report Card

District lines don't always follow town lines. Before you sign a lease, confirm the assigned school for the exact address with the district. We'll help you check.

Utilities

Setting up service

Electric

ComEd

Natural gas

Nicor Gas

Water

Village of Oak Park (water, sewer, refuse)

Providers can vary by address. Confirm with the provider (or ask us) before move-in so service starts on day one.

Around town

Good to know

  • Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
  • Unity Temple — UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark.
  • Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum
  • Oak Park requires an annual village vehicle license, renewed by July 15.
  • Parking is prohibited on most Oak Park streets from 2:30 to 6 a.m. without a pass or permit.
No cost to you

Live in Oak Park before you buy in Oak Park.

  • One move, not twoAsk for homes with an option to buy: live there first, buy at a price set up front, and skip the second move. A licensed Illinois brokerage arranges it in Illinois; I handle the Indiana side.
  • First look before listingWe ask around about homes coming open 60–90 days out, before they hit public rental sites.
  • Verified, no scamsA licensed Illinois brokerage confirms the owner and shows you the home, in person or by live video.
  • Commute checkRush-hour travel time from each home to your office, by car or train.
  • School district lookupThe official district and its address lookup for each home. Facts, never rankings.
  • Dates that fit your startYour broker asks owners for lease dates that line up with your move.
  • Chicago, suburbs or Indiana?Not sure which side? We lay out the city, the suburbs and Northwest Indiana side by side.

No cost to you: the Illinois brokerage may pay Flatland a referral fee, disclosed in writing first. HR and relocation teams: how we work with you.

Your broker: Douglas Willems. Licensed since 1997, a landlord since 1998, placing tenants since 2008. Not a tour guide.

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Nearby

Other towns we cover

ChicagoEvanstonNaperville

Read the full moving guide for the Chicago area →

Sources

Where these facts come from

Last checked October 2026. Drive times are estimates. General information, not legal or tax advice. Something out of date? Call or email and we'll fix it.