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CITY · 2020 ACS

Lake Forest

California · 85,858 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 $112,988. Population has grown 46% since 2000. 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $682,700. Households here earn about 44% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.5
US median: 38.8
More educated
49% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 76%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
85,858
+46%since 2000
from 58,707 in 2000
2000 – 2025
Population density
5,137 / sq mi
+46%since 2000
from 3,512 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.5
+13%since 2000
from 35.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 2000 – 2024
56K64K72K81K89K2000201020202024Lake Forest
202486K
2000201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$112,988
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,967 in 2000
US average: $66,278
2000 – 2024
Per capita income
$48,474
+70%since 2000
from $28,583 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
67.3%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
6.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade11.9%
US avg: 10%
Information10.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services8.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$682,700
+76%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $258,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
2000 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,121
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,085 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
68.7%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 72.0% in 2000
31.3% rent
Afford Score
6.0
+59%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic47.2%(40,506)
Black1.5%(1,312)
Hispanic / Latino25.6%(21,945)
Asian19.4%(16,650)
Other5.3%(4,561)
Diversity Score83.1%(71,323)
Diversity Score
83
+40%since 2000
from 60 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
49.2%
+15.3 ptssince 2000
from 33.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.6%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 88.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
17.6%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.6 min
+47%since 2000
from 17.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.2%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 80.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 6.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.1%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 73.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
51.0%
−20.3 ptssince 2009
from 71.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
51.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
24.7%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 23.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.8%
−81.8 ptssince 2013
from 87.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Lake Forest to nearby cities

LAKE FOREST VS
Mission Viejo
Income$136,123+20%
Home value$1,009,600+48%
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LAKE FOREST VS
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Income$59,269−48%
Home value$394,600−42%
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LAKE FOREST VS
Laguna Hills
Income$128,851+14%
Home value$1,012,300+48%
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LAKE FOREST VS
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Income$152,560+35%
Home value$971,200+42%
Population45,779−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Forest, California?

Lake Forest, California has about 85,858 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lake Forest, California earns about $112,988 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 $682,700, and the typical rent is about $2,121 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Forest, California?

About 49.2% 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 6.5% 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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