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CITY

Forest Lake

Illinois · 1,865 residents · 0.35 sq mi
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The short version

Forest Lake is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $96,250. Population has grown 22% since 2000. 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $346,400. Poverty is rare here, at 4.0% of residents. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.9
More educated
48% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,865
+22%since 2000
from 1,530 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
5,329 / sq mi
+22%since 2000
from 4,371 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.3
+16%since 2000
from 36.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024Forest Lake
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$96,250
−33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,428 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$43,682
+52%since 2000
from $28,737 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
68.7%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 57.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
4.0%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.325
−8%since 2010
from 0.351 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information28.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance6.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$346,400
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $189,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
95.5%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 90.5% in 2000
4.5% rent
Vacancy rate
10.7%
+10.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.2%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 30.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
100.0%
+28.1 ptssince 2009
from 71.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
+49%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
8
RELATED:See current rent listings in Forest Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.3%(1,412)
Black0.4%(6)
Hispanic / Latino4.8%(74)
Asian0.9%(14)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.8%(226)
2024
White, non-Hispanic74.5%(1,390)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino21%(391)
Asian4.5%(84)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score49.8%(929)
Diversity Score
50
+237%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
48.3%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 40.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
74.4%
−19.9 ptssince 2000
from 94.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
14.2%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
33.4 min
+57%since 2000
from 21.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.1%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 75.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.6%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.9%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.0%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2011
from 3.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
75.1%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 79.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.3%
−49.2 ptssince 2009
from 77.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
38.6%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
61.4%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
41.0%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 27.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
1.2%
−46.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.9%
+7.7 ptssince 2012
from 9.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.9%
−89.7 ptssince 2013
from 91.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
97.4%
Unchangedsince 2017
from 97.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
45.2%
−38.2 ptssince 2016
from 83.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
18.8%
+18.8 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Forest Lake to nearby cities

FOREST LAKE VS
Hawthorn Woods
Income$219,631+128%
Home value$619,100+79%
Population9,679+419%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST LAKE VS
Lake Zurich
Income$135,968+41%
Home value$435,300+26%
Population19,868+965%
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FOREST LAKE VS
Long Grove
Income$250,001+160%
Home value$804,600+132%
Population8,343+347%
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FOREST LAKE VS
Mundelein
Income$108,340+13%
Home value$309,700−11%
Population32,680+1652%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Forest Lake, Illinois?

Forest Lake, Illinois has about 1,865 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Forest Lake, Illinois earns about $96,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Forest Lake, Illinois expensive?

In Forest Lake, Illinois, the median home is worth about $346,400.

How educated are people in Forest Lake, Illinois?

About 48.3% of adults age 25 and over in Forest Lake, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Forest Lake, Illinois?

About 4.0% of people in Forest Lake, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Forest Lake, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Forest Lake, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 501 residents, a change of about 37 percent over that period.

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

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