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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Lake Forest

Illinois · 20,059 residents · 17.201 sq mi
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The short version

Lake Forest is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $136,462. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $638,800. With a median age of 41.0, the population is older than the US median of 35.2. Households here earn about 193% more than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 41.0
US median: 35.2
More educated
74% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,059
+12%since 1990
from 17,836 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,166 / sq mi
+12%since 1990
from 1,037 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
41.0
+9%since 1990
from 37.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
18K18K19K20K21K1990201020202024Lake Forest
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$136,462
+9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $94,824 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$77,092
+63%since 1990
from $47,200 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
2.1%
−0.7 ptssince 1990
from 2.8% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$638,800
−3%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $500,001 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,005
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 1990
from $762 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
87.3%
+2.0 ptssince 1990
from 85.3% in 1990
12.7% rent
Afford Score
4.7
−11%since 1990
from 5.3 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lake Forest on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic95.8%(17,081)
Black0.8%(136)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(269)
Asian2.5%(438)
Diversity Score13.6%(2,429)
2000
White, non-Hispanic92.4%(18,537)
Black1.3%(263)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(376)
Asian3.4%(691)
Diversity Score16%(3,201)
Diversity Score
16
+17%since 1990
from 14 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
73.8%
+8.2 ptssince 1990
from 65.7% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
97.2%
+1.1 ptssince 1990
from 96.1% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
33.9%
+5.4 ptssince 1990
from 28.5% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.3 min
−23%since 1990
from 30.3 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Lake Forest

Pinecrest
Pop 18,635
Saratoga
Pop 30,418
Lake Butler
Pop 17,125
Los Gatos
Pop 32,576
Places similar to Lake Forest
Head to head

Compare Lake Forest to nearby cities

LAKE FOREST VS
Highland Park
Income$168,094+23%
Home value$607,300−5%
Population30,767+56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE FOREST VS
Deerfield
Income$181,660+33%
Home value$623,400−2%
Population19,642same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE FOREST VS
Vernon Hills
Income$121,943−11%
Home value$412,300−35%
Population26,825+36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE FOREST VS
North Chicago
Income$60,172−56%
Home value$159,600−75%
Population34,050+73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Forest, Illinois?

Lake Forest, Illinois has about 20,059 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Lake Forest, Illinois earns about $136,462 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lake Forest, Illinois expensive?

In Lake Forest, Illinois, the median home is worth about $638,800, and the typical rent is about $1,005 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Forest, Illinois?

About 73.8% of adults age 25 and over in Lake Forest, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lake Forest, Illinois?

About 2.1% of people in Lake Forest, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lake Forest, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Lake Forest, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,223 residents, a change of about 12 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →