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CITY · 2020 ACS

Forest Lake

Minnesota · 20,611 residents · 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 $84,436. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 13,813 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $286,500. Poverty is rare here, at 5.0% of residents.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.1
US median: 38.8
More educated
36% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 57%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,611
+203%since 2000
from 6,798 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
675 / sq mi
+203%since 2000
from 223 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.1
+13%since 2000
from 34.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K9K13K18K22K1990201020202024Forest Lake
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$84,436
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,419 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$40,866
+104%since 2000
from $20,058 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
55.2%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade15.6%
US avg: 10%
Information10.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade9.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services8.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$286,500
+57%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $121,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,132
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $578 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.1%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 60.2% in 2000
28.9% rent
Afford Score
3.4
+24%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic86.9%(17,917)
Black1.7%(342)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(782)
Asian2.6%(541)
Other4.1%(844)
Diversity Score28.3%(5,833)
Diversity Score
28
+491%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.3%
+18.3 ptssince 2000
from 18.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.4%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 88.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.1%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.4 min
+48%since 2000
from 19.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.7%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 77.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 6.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
72.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2011
from 71.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
42.2%
−23.4 ptssince 2009
from 65.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
51.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
3.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.1%
−88.9 ptssince 2013
from 94.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Forest Lake to nearby cities

FOREST LAKE VS
Hugo
Income$116,228+38%
Home value$408,900+43%
Population17,167−18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST LAKE VS
Wyoming
Income$107,565+27%
Home value$365,700+28%
Population8,121−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST LAKE VS
Lino Lakes
Income$127,181+51%
Home value$407,200+42%
Population23,220+11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST LAKE VS
Ham Lake
Income$120,135+42%
Home value$442,500+54%
Population17,104−18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Forest Lake, Minnesota?

Forest Lake, Minnesota has about 20,611 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Forest Lake, Minnesota earns about $84,436 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 $286,500, and the typical rent is about $1,132 a month.

How educated are people in Forest Lake, Minnesota?

About 36.3% 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 5.0% 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 14,778 residents, a change of about 253 percent over that period.

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

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