Lake Forest, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Forest, Illinois had a total population of 19,416, the 127th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $235,081, which is 182% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 182% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.5% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- 80.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
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 | 19,190 | 19,416 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $228,120 | $235,081 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $909,800 | $938,300 | +3.1% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deerfield | 19,518 | $181,660 | $623,400 | 82.1% | 2.8% |
| Hinsdale | 17,175 | $250,000+ | $1,053,700 | 80.8% | 2.9% |
| Libertyville | 20,525 | $165,667 | $512,000 | 71.0% | 4.2% |
| Frankfort | 20,651 | $154,375 | $481,200 | 59.3% | 3.2% |
| Lake Zurich | 19,832 | $135,968 | $435,300 | 60.7% | 3.4% |
Population Overview
Lake Forest is a small city located in Illinois, within Lake County. The total population is 19,416. It ranks as the 127th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Forest is 46.1 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 13.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Forest is $235,081. This is 182% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 191% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.5%. This is 70% 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 1.8%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $938,300. Housing costs are 256% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 88.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Forest is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 6.4%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.1%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
80.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lake Forest in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 113% 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 98.1%. Notably, 41.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest, Illinois?
Lake Forest, Illinois has a population of 19,416 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Forest, IL?
The median household income in Lake Forest is $235,081, which is 191% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Forest, IL?
The poverty rate in Lake Forest is 3.5%. This means approximately 637 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Forest, Illinois?
Lake Forest's population is 80.2% White, 1.0% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Forest, IL?
The median home value in Lake Forest is $938,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Lake Forest, Illinois?
80.5% of adults (25+) in Lake Forest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 41.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.