Skip to content
Skip to content
TopHapOpen in map
Single Family ResidenceResidential
$1,176,032$402 / ft²
TopHap EstimateOur estimate of what this home would sell for today, based on nearby sales, the home's size and features, and local price trends. It is a starting point, not an appraisal.· confidence 97How well the pricing models agreed with each other on this home. Higher means the estimate rests on stronger, more consistent data.· as of Jul 14, 2026
Last sold for $366,500 on Aug 28, 2001

542 FOREST AVE

RIVER FOREST, IL 60305
5
Beds
3 / 1
Baths
2,928 ft²
Living AreaTotal finished area of the structures, from county records. Some counties include shared space like hallways or a building gym, so it may not match a listing.
0.21 ac
Lot SizeThe size of the land the home sits on, from county records.
1903
Year BuiltThe year the home was originally built, according to county records.
2
StoriesHow many floors the home has above ground.
8
RoomsThe total room count in county records. Counties differ on which rooms they count, so compare it loosely.
2
ParkingThe number of parking spaces on the property, including the garage.

Valuation

$1.2M
$1.1M low$1.2M high
Last SaleThe most recent sale price and date from the recorded deed. Transfers between family members or companies may not reflect market value.$366,500 · Aug 28, 2001
Est. Owner EquityRoughly how much of the home's value the owner would keep after paying off known loans. It is our estimate minus the loans still owed.$930,032
Est. Lendable EquityThe part of the owner's equity a lender would typically let them borrow against — about 80% of their equity.$744,026
Loan-to-ValueHow much is still owed on the home compared to what it is worth. 80% means loans equal 80% of our estimate, so it shifts when the estimate does.22%
1st MortgageA loan still believed to be open on this home, in the order lenders get repaid. The first position is paid back before the second.$246,000
GUARANTEED RATE INC · recorded Aug 28, 2012

Tax & Assessment

Property TaxThe property tax billed for this tax year. It usually pays for schools, roads, and local services.$23,457 (2023)
Assessed ValueThe value the county assigns to this home to calculate property tax. It is often lower than what the home would sell for.$89,000 (2024)
Assessed LandThe share of the county's assessed value that comes from the land itself, not the buildings.$11,635
Assessed ImprovementsThe share of the county's assessed value that comes from the buildings and other structures on the land.$77,365
Previous AssessedThe county's assessed value from the year before, useful for seeing how the assessment changed.$89,000
Assessor Market ValueThe county assessor's own opinion of market value. It is separate from our estimate and updates on the county's schedule.$890,000

Climate Risk

Overall riskThe average of the five hazard scores below, on a 0 to 100 scale. Higher means greater projected risk over the coming decades.36
1
FloodProjected flooding risk from rivers, heavy rain, and storm surge, scored 0 to 100. Higher is riskier.
1
WildfireProjected wildfire risk, scored 0 to 100, based on how much land burns in a typical year. Higher is riskier.
68
HeatProjected heat risk, scored 0 to 100, based on how many extremely hot days a year are expected. Higher is riskier.
65
StormProjected risk from heavy rainstorms, scored 0 to 100, based on how often extreme rainfall is expected. Higher is riskier.
45
DroughtProjected water shortage risk, scored 0 to 100. Higher means more strain on the local water supply.

Scores 0–100; higher = greater projected risk.

Property Facts

Property TypeThe broad category the county puts this property in, such as residential or commercial.Single Family Residence
CountyCook
Lot (acres)The size of the land the home sits on, from county records.0.20
ConstructionThe main material the home's frame and walls are built from.Frame (Unspecified)
RoofThe main material covering the roof, such as asphalt shingle or tile.Composition Shingle
HeatingThe type of heating system in the home.Forced Air
CoolingThe type of cooling or air conditioning in the home.Central
FireplaceWhether the home has a fireplace, and what kind.Yes
GarageWhether the property has a garage, and details like whether it is attached to the home.Garage, Attached

Transaction History(2)

Sales and refinances filed with the county for this home. Not every transfer is a normal sale, so check the type before comparing prices.

Assigned SchoolsThe public schools this address is zoned for. Boundaries change, so confirm with the district before you count on it.

E
Lincoln Elementary SchoolA+
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · 0.2 mi
M
Roosevelt SchoolA
Middle · Grades 5–8 · 0.5 mi
H
Oak Park & River Forest High SchoolA+
High · Grades 9–12 · 1.7 mi

District: Oak Park and River Forest District 200

Neighborhood · ZIP 60305These are comparison scores, not percentages. 100 equals the national average, so 150 means about 50% above average.

CrimeLocal crime compared with the rest of the country, where 100 is average. It reflects things like population density, income, and how crime gets reported.29
Air pollutionOverall air pollution compared with the rest of the country, where 100 is average. Lower is cleaner.133
EarthquakeEarthquake risk and likely building damage compared with the rest of the country, where 100 is average. Scores can run far above 100.45

Index scale: 100 = US average (tick). Lower is better.

Homes occupiedThe share of homes here that someone lives in. The rest sit empty, including vacation and for-sale homes.94%
Bachelor's or higherThe share of adults 25 and older whose highest degree is a bachelor's degree.31%
Poverty rateThe share of people whose household income falls below the federal poverty line, which varies by family size.1.3%
UnemploymentThe share of men 16 and older who are out of work and actively looking. Only men are counted in this figure.1.7%
PopulationHow many people live in this area.11,189
DensityPeople per square mile. Higher numbers mean a more crowded, urban area.4,804 / mi²
Median incomeThe middle household income here — half of households earn more, half earn less.$151,502
Average incomeThe average household income. It runs higher than the median when a few high earners pull it up.$232,452
Average tempThe average temperature here across a full year.50°F
Annual precipHow much rain and melted snow falls here in a typical year.37 in
SunshineThe share of daylight hours that get direct sun in a typical year, counting cloud cover.54%

Ownership

OccupancyWhether the owner appears to live here or somewhere else. It is inferred from the mailing address on record.Owner occupied
Company ownedWhether the owner is a company or trust rather than a person.Yes

Data by ATTOM. Valuations are automated estimates, not appraisals. Photos from Google Street View and may not depict the current property state.

How this home compares

542 Forest Ave measured against every home in its neighborhood, its ZIP code and its county, using county assessor records refreshed nightly. A home can stand out in one of those areas and look ordinary in another, because each one holds a different mix of homes.

  • Worth more than 96% of homes in Cook County
  • Costs more per square foot than 89% of homes in Cook County
  • Bigger than 88% of homes in Cook County
  • Has a smaller lot than 71% of homes in River Forest 60305
  • Older than 94% of homes in River Forest 60305

What homes are worth in River Forest 60305

Each bar is how many homes fall in that price range. The marker is this home.

This home
$139K$2.1M

This home is worth more than 78% of homes in River Forest 60305.

How it measures up in River Forest 60305

The dot is this home. The mark in the middle is the typical home in River Forest 60305.

Estimated value$1,176,032
CheaperTypical $806,005Pricier

Pricier than 78% of homes nearby

Price per ft²$402
CheaperTypical $368Pricier

Pricier than 68% of homes nearby

Living area2,928 ft²
SmallerTypical 2,209 ft²Bigger

Bigger than 73% of homes nearby

Lot size0.21 ac
SmallerTypical 0.23 acBigger

Bigger than 29% of homes nearby

Year built1903
OlderTypical 1943Newer

Newer than 6% of homes nearby

How 542 Forest Ave ranks against every home in each area.
MeasureThis homeRiver Forest 60305Cook County
Estimated valuepricier than$1,176,03278% of homes96% of homes
Price per ft²pricier than$40268% of homes89% of homes
Living areabigger than2,928 ft²73% of homes88% of homes
Lot sizebigger than0.21 ac29% of homes65% of homes
Year builtnewer than19036% of homes7% of homes

About 542 Forest Ave

How much is 542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL worth?

The TopHap Estimate for 542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL is $1,176,032 as of Jul 14, 2026. The likely range is $1,139,410 to $1,212,654. The estimate is modelled from recorded sales, assessments and the property's own characteristics — it is not an appraisal.

When did 542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL last sell?

542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL last sold on Aug 28, 2001 for $366,500, according to the county's recorded deed.

How big is 542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL?

542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL has 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,928 square feet of living space and a 0.20-acre lot.

When was 542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL built?

542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL was built in 1903, making it 123 years old. The building has 2 stories.

What schools serve 542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL?

542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL is assigned to Lincoln Elementary School (elementary), rated A+; Roosevelt School (middle), rated A; Oak Park & River Forest High School (high), rated A+. All sit in Oak Park and River Forest District 200. Attendance boundaries change — confirm with the district before relying on an assignment.

How does 542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL compare to other homes in River Forest 60305?

Among the 4,095 homes in River Forest 60305, it is worth more than 78% of them ($1,176,032 against a typical $806,005), its price per square foot is higher than 68% of them ($402 against a typical $368), it is bigger than 73% of them (2,928 ft² against a typical 2,209 ft²), its lot is bigger than 29% of them (0.21 ac against a typical 0.23 ac) and it is newer than 6% of them (1903 against a typical 1943). Measured against all of Cook County, it is worth more than 96% of homes there. These shares are recounted nightly from the full county assessor record for each area, not from active listings.

What are the property taxes on 542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL?

The 2023 property tax bill for 542 Forest Ave, River Forest, IL was $23,457. The county assessed it at $89,000.

More homes on Forest Ave

Closest homes

More homes in River Forest 60305

Assigned schools

Explore the area

See this home in context

Open 542 Forest Ave on TopHap’s interactive map to compare it against every sale nearby, overlay school zones and flood risk, and run a CMA.

Open in map
A flyover of TopHap's photorealistic 3D map, with recorded sale prices pinned to homes
Search any address, city, zip, or county…3D$1.9M$6.25MOpen in map