Forest Lake, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forest Lake, Illinois had a total population of 1,865, the 524th largest community in Illinois, with a median household income of $96,250, which is 15% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.0% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- 48.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Forest Lake Quick Facts
How Forest Lake 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 | 1,797 | 1,865 | +3.8% |
| Median household income | $92,956 | $96,250 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $318,300 | $346,400 | +8.8% |
How Forest Lake 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forest Lake Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukegan | 89,076 | $71,919 | 15.3% | $190,900 |
| Mundelein | 31,915 | $108,340 | 8.2% | $309,700 |
| North Chicago | 30,643 | $60,172 | 24.5% | $159,600 |
| Gurnee | 30,510 | $119,628 | 5.2% | $344,300 |
| Highland Park | 30,398 | $168,094 | 4.2% | $607,300 |
| Round Lake Beach | 27,079 | $86,059 | 14.8% | $199,200 |
| Vernon Hills | 26,876 | $121,943 | 6.1% | $412,300 |
| Zion | 24,600 | $63,104 | 16.0% | $183,800 |
| Grayslake | 20,929 | $113,972 | 6.3% | $309,500 |
| Libertyville | 20,525 | $165,667 | 4.2% | $512,000 |
Cities Similar to Forest Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orion | 1,812 | $94,375 | $178,500 | 31.1% | 5.2% |
| Willowbrook | 1,913 | $89,773 | $280,700 | 39.1% | 2.8% |
| Hampton | 1,926 | $90,406 | $184,900 | 30.6% | 4.7% |
| Port Byron | 1,854 | $111,667 | $278,200 | 36.9% | 7.3% |
| Rome | 1,947 | $88,750 | $159,800 | 23.1% | 6.5% |
Population Overview
Forest Lake is a small community located in Illinois, within Lake County. The total population is 1,865. It ranks as the 524th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forest Lake is 42.3 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Forest Lake is $96,250. This is 15% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 19% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.0%. This is 66% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $346,400. Housing costs are 32% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 95.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Forest Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.0%.
Education
48.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Forest Lake in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 74.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forest Lake, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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 Forest Lake, Illinois?
Forest Lake, Illinois has a population of 1,865 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forest Lake, IL?
The median household income in Forest Lake is $96,250, which is 19% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forest Lake, IL?
The poverty rate in Forest Lake is 4.0%. This means approximately 75 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forest Lake, Illinois?
Forest Lake's population is 74.5% White, 0.0% Black, 21.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forest Lake, IL?
The median home value in Forest Lake is $346,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Forest Lake, Illinois?
48.3% of adults (25+) in Forest Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.