Oak Park homes built before 1940

Junk removal in Oak Park, IL

The median Oak Park home was built in 1938, and about 59 percent of the village's housing stock dates to 1939 or earlier.¹ For junk removal in Oak Park, IL, call (312) 847-2454.

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Two workers carry a blanket-wrapped armchair past the oak staircase of an older Oak Park house toward the open front door on a junk removal job.

Oak Park's homes by age and type

The median year built for Oak Park's housing is 1938, and 14,741 of the village's 24,872 homes date to 1939 or earlier, about 59 percent of the total; about 71 percent were built before 1960.¹

Figure

Oak Park homes built before 1960

A Census estimate for 24,872 Oak Park housing units. About 59 percent were built in 1939 or earlier, 14,741 units.

Built 1939 or earlier14,741

Built 1940 to 19491,280

Built 1950 to 19591,547

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year, tables B25035 and B25034, Oak Park village (via Census API).

Show the numbers behind this chart

Period built	Housing units
Built 1939 or earlier	14,741
Built 1940 to 1949	1,280
Built 1950 to 1959	1,547

About 47 percent of Oak Park's 24,872 housing units are in buildings of five or more units and about 40 percent are single family detached homes; about 10 percent are in two to four unit buildings.² About 60 percent of occupied homes are owner occupied.²

Garbage collection and what Oak Park contracts out

The village's contracted garbage hauler collects trash, recycling and bulk items each week for residential properties with five or fewer units.³

Residents of large multifamily buildings, with six or more units, are not served under the municipal refuse hauling program; the village encourages them to contact their building's refuse service provider about recycling options.⁴

The village's scavenger license rule

Village Code 20-7-4 says no person may engage in the business of a scavenger, or carry on the business of a scavenger to collect solid waste, compostable material or recyclable material in the village, without first having a license from the Village Clerk.⁵

Under Oak Park's scavenger rules, garbage, refuse and bulk items go to a state licensed sanitary landfill, incinerator or transfer station, and yard waste to a state licensed transfer station or a compost facility with a current Illinois EPA permit.⁵

Chemicals and electronics in Oak Park

Residents of single family homes and buildings with five or fewer units can schedule at-home pickup of household hazardous waste, including garden chemicals, automotive fluids, paint products and household cleaners, and of electronics including televisions, computers, printers and cell phones, by requesting a pickup online through the village's hauler.⁴

Residents of buildings with six or more units are not eligible for this at-home service.⁴

Paint, chemicals and automotive fluids are not ours.

Electronics recycling

Brush and branches in Oak Park

The village does not pick up brush from trees on private property.⁶ A small bundle up to four feet long and 50 pounds can go out with regular garbage and recycling using a green yard waste sticker.⁶

A branch that falls from a parkway tree between the curb and sidewalk is reported to Public Works, which picks it up.⁶

Carpet removal

Junk removal in Oak Park: your questions

Who picks up bulk items from an Oak Park house?

The village's contracted garbage hauler handles weekly trash, recycling and bulk pickup for properties with five or fewer units.³

I live in a building with six or more units. Who handles my trash?

The municipal refuse hauling program does not cover buildings with six or more units.⁴ Ask the building owner or manager which company provides refuse service for the building, and what that company will take.

What does Oak Park's code say about scavenger licenses?

Village Code 20-7-4 says no one may engage in the business of a scavenger in the village without a license from the Village Clerk.⁵ Under Oak Park's scavenger rules, garbage, refuse and bulk items go to a state licensed sanitary landfill, incinerator or transfer station, and yard waste to a state licensed transfer station or a compost facility with a current Illinois EPA permit.⁵

How do I get rid of old paint, chemicals or electronics in Oak Park?

Single family homes and buildings with five or fewer units can schedule an at-home pickup of household chemicals, paint and electronics online through the village's hauler;⁴ the program covers garden chemicals, automotive fluids, paint products, household cleaners, televisions, computers, printers and cell phones. Buildings with six or more units are not eligible for this service.

Will the village take brush from a tree in my yard?

No. The village does not pick up brush from private property trees.⁶ Small amounts can be bundled at up to two feet in diameter, four feet in length and 50 pounds, set out with a green yard waste sticker. For larger amounts from a private tree, the village points to a tree care or landscape maintenance contractor. We are not a tree care contractor. If the branch fell from a parkway tree between the curb and sidewalk, contact Public Works.

How old is most of Oak Park's housing?

About 59 percent of Oak Park's 24,872 homes date to 1939 or earlier, and about 71 percent were built before 1960.¹ The median year built is 1938. About 40 percent of the village's housing units are single family detached homes, with about 47 percent in buildings of five or more units.

Sources

Clearing out an older Oak Park home

Call (312) 847-2454 for a prewar Oak Park home and say which rooms or floors have items to move.

(312) 847-2454

Mon to Sat 7am to 7pm · Sun 9am to 5pm

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