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CITY · 2020 ACS

Lake Forest

Illinois · 19,367 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 $189,118. Population has declined 3% since 2000. 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $818,000. With a median age of 47.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 176% more than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 47.1
US median: 38.8
More educated
81% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 15%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,367
−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: 280
Median age
47.1
+15%since 2000
from 41.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
18K18K19K20K21K1990201020202024Lake Forest
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$189,118
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $136,462 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$98,058
+27%since 2000
from $77,092 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
76.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 74.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
2.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 2.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade11%
US avg: 10%
Other services10.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration8.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Information6.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Transportation & warehousing6.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 2%
Wholesale trade2.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance1.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$818,000
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $638,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,627
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,005 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
85.7%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
14.3% rent
Afford Score
4.3
−8%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic84.6%(16,380)
Black1.2%(232)
Hispanic / Latino4.7%(914)
Asian5.8%(1,114)
Other4%(776)
Diversity Score35.1%(6,803)
Diversity Score
35
+120%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
81.2%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 73.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
99.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 97.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
42.4%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 33.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
36.1 min
+55%since 2000
from 23.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
57.3%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 67.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 6.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2011
from 53.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
65.5%
−10.9 ptssince 2009
from 76.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
51.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
12.4%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.7%
−95.6 ptssince 2013
from 97.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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$168,094−11%
Home value$607,300−26%
Population30,767+56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE FOREST VS
Deerfield
Income$181,660−4%
Home value$623,400−24%
Population19,642same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE FOREST VS
Vernon Hills
Income$121,943−36%
Home value$412,300−50%
Population26,825+36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE FOREST VS
North Chicago
Income$60,172−68%
Home value$159,600−80%
Population34,050+73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Forest, Illinois?

Lake Forest, Illinois has about 19,367 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lake Forest, Illinois earns about $189,118 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 $818,000, and the typical rent is about $1,627 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Forest, Illinois?

About 81.2% 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 2.9% 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 1,531 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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