Lake Forest, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Forest, California had a total population of 86,281, the 97th largest city in California, with a median household income of $135,175, which is 36% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
Lake Forest Quick Facts
How Lake Forest Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 85,846 | 86,281 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $131,378 | $135,175 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $876,300 | $937,000 | +6.9% |
How Lake Forest Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lake Forest Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | 12.4% | $831,200 |
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | 10.8% | $713,000 |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | 10.8% | $1,191,500 |
| Huntington Beach | 195,240 | $120,919 | 7.8% | $1,100,000 |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | 12.3% | $814,100 |
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | 12.3% | $902,600 |
| Orange | 138,266 | $117,113 | 9.5% | $945,800 |
| Costa Mesa | 110,330 | $111,505 | 9.1% | $1,115,100 |
| Mission Viejo | 92,151 | $136,123 | 5.6% | $1,009,600 |
| Westminster | 89,860 | $85,541 | 14.4% | $858,300 |
Cities Similar to Lake Forest
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folsom | 83,916 | $139,804 | $755,200 | 54.9% | 5.3% |
| Mission Viejo | 92,151 | $136,123 | $1,009,600 | 52.1% | 5.6% |
| Livermore | 85,522 | $160,775 | $1,105,600 | 52.3% | 4.9% |
| Newport Beach | 83,845 | $156,867 | $2,000,000+ | 69.6% | 6.6% |
| Alameda | 77,238 | $137,697 | $1,235,700 | 61.6% | 7.2% |
Population Overview
Lake Forest is a mid-sized community located in California, within Orange County. The total population is 86,281. It ranks as the 97th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Forest is 40.2 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Forest is $135,175. This is 36% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 67% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 29% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $937,000. Housing costs are 28% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 70.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lake Forest is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.0%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
50.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.0%. Notably, 18.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Forest, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lake Forest, California?
Lake Forest, California has a population of 86,281 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Forest, CA?
The median household income in Lake Forest is $135,175, which is 67% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Forest, CA?
The poverty rate in Lake Forest is 8.5%. This means approximately 7,305 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Forest, California?
Lake Forest's population is 44.1% White, 2.4% Black, 27.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 19.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Forest, CA?
The median home value in Lake Forest is $937,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.9x.
How educated is Lake Forest, California?
50.8% of adults (25+) in Lake Forest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.