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CITY · 2010 ACS

Lake Forest

California · 77,264 residents · 16.714 sq mi
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The short version

Lake Forest is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $91,040. Population has grown 32% since 2000. 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $579,000. Poverty is rare here, at 5.3% of residents. Households here earn about 50% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 37.2
US median: 37.2
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 77%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
77,264
+32%since 2000
from 58,707 in 2000
2000 – 2025
Population density
4,623 / sq mi
+32%since 2000
from 3,512 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
37.2
+6%since 2000
from 35.1 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 2000 – 2024
56K64K72K81K89K2000201020202024Lake Forest
202486K
2000201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$91,040
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,967 in 2000
US average: $52,703
2000 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,844
+36%since 2000
from $28,583 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
59.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 60.9% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
5.3%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 5.3% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.378
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade14.6%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services11.7%
US avg: 7%
Information11.2%
US avg: 11.5%
Public administration8.2%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance3.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$579,000
+77%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $258,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
2000 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,664
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,085 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
61.2%
−10.8 ptssince 2000
from 72.0% in 2000
29.2% rent
Vacancy rate
4.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
40.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 41.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
6.4
+67%since 2000
from 3.8 in 2000
2000 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lake Forest on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic66.7%(39,161)
Black1.7%(998)
Hispanic / Latino18.6%(10,913)
Asian9.6%(5,647)
Other0%
Diversity Score59.5%(34,935)
2010
White, non-Hispanic57.2%(44,177)
Black1.5%(1,158)
Hispanic / Latino24.6%(19,024)
Asian12.9%(9,985)
Other3.8%(2,969)
Diversity Score74.3%(57,423)
Diversity Score
74
+25%since 2000
from 60 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.9%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 33.9% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
92.3%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 88.7% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
13.3%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.0 min
+50%since 2000
from 17.4 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
83.3%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 80.9% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
7.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
0.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
2.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
9.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
45.9%
−25.4 ptssince 2009
from 71.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
50.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
23.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 23.8% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
8.3%
−40.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Lake Forest

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Pop 91,505
Mansfield
Pop 84,444
Weston
Pop 69,588
Horizon West
Pop 67,416
Places similar to Lake Forest
Head to head

Compare Lake Forest to nearby cities

LAKE FOREST VS
Mission Viejo
Income$136,123+50%
Home value$1,009,600+74%
Population90,484+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE FOREST VS
Laguna Woods
Income$59,269−35%
Home value$394,600−32%
Population16,844−80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE FOREST VS
Laguna Hills
Income$128,851+42%
Home value$1,012,300+75%
Population30,020−65%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE FOREST VS
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Income$152,560+68%
Home value$971,200+68%
Population45,779−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Forest, California?

Lake Forest, California has about 77,264 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Lake Forest, California?

The typical household in Lake Forest, California earns about $91,040 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lake Forest, California expensive?

In Lake Forest, California, the median home is worth about $579,000, and the typical rent is about $1,664 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Forest, California?

About 41.9% of adults age 25 and over in Lake Forest, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lake Forest, California?

About 5.3% of people in Lake Forest, California live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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