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CITY · 2010 ACS

Lake Forest

Illinois · 19,375 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 $136,801. Population has declined 3% since 2000. 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $874,200. With a median age of 45.5, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 145% more than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 45.5
US median: 37.2
More educated
74% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,375
−3%since 2000
from 20,059 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,126 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 1,166 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
45.5
+11%since 2000
from 41.0 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
18K18K19K20K21K1990201020202024Lake Forest
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$136,801
−21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $136,462 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$92,745
+20%since 2000
from $77,092 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
73.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 74.8% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
2.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.1% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.567
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Other services20.9%
US avg: 7%
Public administration15.1%
US avg: 4.9%
Retail trade12.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Information7.4%
US avg: 11.5%
Transportation & warehousing4.8%
US avg: 3.1%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.2%
Wholesale trade2.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$874,200
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $638,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,192
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,005 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
60.0%
−27.3 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
12.2% rent
Vacancy rate
9.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.3% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
36.4%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 34.1% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 36.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
6.4
+37%since 2000
from 4.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lake Forest on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.4%(18,537)
Black1.3%(263)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(376)
Asian3.4%(691)
Other0%
Diversity Score16%(3,201)
2010
White, non-Hispanic90.2%(17,474)
Black1%(196)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(542)
Asian4.6%(899)
Other0.6%(126)
Diversity Score21.5%(4,160)
Diversity Score
21
+35%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
74.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 73.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
98.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 97.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
33.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 33.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.9 min
+33%since 2000
from 23.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
65.2%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 67.8% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
7.6%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
8.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
11.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
5.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
2.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
7.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
57.0%
−19.4 ptssince 2009
from 76.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
53.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
9.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
9.6%
−37.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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$607,300−31%
Population30,767+56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE FOREST VS
Deerfield
Income$181,660+33%
Home value$623,400−29%
Population19,642same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE FOREST VS
Vernon Hills
Income$121,943−11%
Home value$412,300−53%
Population26,825+36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE FOREST VS
North Chicago
Income$60,172−56%
Home value$159,600−82%
Population34,050+73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Forest, Illinois?

Lake Forest, Illinois has about 19,375 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lake Forest, Illinois earns about $136,801 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 $874,200, and the typical rent is about $1,192 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Forest, Illinois?

About 74.3% 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 2.5% 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 1,539 residents, a change of about 9 percent over that period.

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

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