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CITY

Forest Lake

Minnesota · 20,952 residents (2025 est.) · 30.539 sq mi
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The short version

Forest Lake is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $92,944. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 13,931 residents. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $393,500. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.6
US median: 38.9
Average education
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 77%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,729
+205%since 2000
from 6,798 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
679 / sq mi
+205%since 2000
from 223 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.6
+15%since 2000
from 34.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:20,952 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K9K13K18K22K1990201020202024Forest Lake
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$92,944
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,419 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$46,249
+131%since 2000
from $20,058 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
62.6%
+17.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
7.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.385
+2%since 2010
from 0.379 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade9.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services9.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$393,500
+77%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $121,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,421
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $578 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.9%
+12.7 ptssince 2000
from 60.2% in 2000
27.1% rent
Vacancy rate
5.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.4%
−10.8 ptssince 2009
from 31.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.3%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 40.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.2
+55%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
47
RELATED:See current rent listings in Forest Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.5%(6,561)
Black0.4%(25)
Hispanic / Latino1%(68)
Asian0.5%(37)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.8%(326)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86%(17,820)
Black3%(615)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(785)
Asian3.6%(741)
Other3.7%(768)
Diversity Score32%(6,634)
Diversity Score
32
+568%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.4%
+17.4 ptssince 2000
from 18.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.6%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 88.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.7%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.2 min
+26%since 2000
from 19.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.2%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 77.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.6%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
17.7%
+14.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 6.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
70.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2011
from 71.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.8%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
44.3%
−21.3 ptssince 2009
from 65.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
51.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
5.2%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.7%
−43.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2012
from 9.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.5%
−89.5 ptssince 2013
from 94.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.6%
+5.3 ptssince 2017
from 87.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2016
from 94.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.5%
−1.6 ptssince 2016
from 3.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Forest Lake to nearby cities

FOREST LAKE VS
Hugo
Income$116,228+25%
Home value$408,900+4%
Population17,167−18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST LAKE VS
Wyoming
Income$107,565+16%
Home value$365,700−7%
Population8,121−61%
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FOREST LAKE VS
Lino Lakes
Income$127,181+37%
Home value$407,200+3%
Population23,220+11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST LAKE VS
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Income$120,135+29%
Home value$442,500+12%
Population17,104−18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Forest Lake, Minnesota?

Forest Lake, Minnesota has about 20,729 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Forest Lake, Minnesota earns about $92,944 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Forest Lake, Minnesota expensive?

In Forest Lake, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $393,500, and the typical rent is about $1,421 a month.

How educated are people in Forest Lake, Minnesota?

About 35.4% of adults age 25 and over in Forest Lake, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Forest Lake, Minnesota?

About 7.0% of people in Forest Lake, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Forest Lake, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Forest Lake, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 14,896 residents, a change of about 255 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 →