Forest Lake city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Forest Lake city, Minnesota has a total population of 20,678, the 58th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $89,879, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.7%.
Forest Lake city Quick Facts
How Forest Lake city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forest Lake city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbury city | 76,945 | $126,222 | 4.9% | $434,900 |
| Cottage Grove city | 40,124 | $121,452 | 4.2% | $359,600 |
| Oakdale city | 28,109 | $90,379 | 6.0% | $305,900 |
| White Bear Lake city | 24,026 | $79,712 | 7.8% | $318,000 |
| Hastings city | 22,050 | $92,940 | 5.6% | $294,100 |
| Stillwater city | 19,323 | $109,297 | 7.7% | $398,100 |
| Hugo city | 16,076 | $114,057 | 1.7% | $394,200 |
| Lake Elmo city | 12,504 | $153,407 | 4.3% | $588,900 |
| Mahtomedi city | 8,108 | $132,326 | 3.9% | $466,100 |
| St. Paul Park city | 5,464 | $98,670 | 5.4% | $252,800 |
Cities Similar to Forest Lake city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northfield city | 20,678 | $92,000 | $305,300 | 51.5% | 7.2% |
| South St. Paul city | 20,633 | $84,472 | $266,800 | 30.7% | 9.1% |
| Hastings city | 22,050 | $92,940 | $294,100 | 28.9% | 5.6% |
| Crystal city | 22,685 | $86,752 | $280,500 | 35.9% | 7.8% |
| New Brighton city | 22,900 | $87,272 | $345,900 | 49.0% | 10.3% |
Population Overview
Forest Lake city is a small city located in Minnesota, within Washington County. The total population is 20,678. It ranks as the 58th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forest Lake city is 38.8 years. This is about average than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Forest Lake city is $89,879. This is 3% higher than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% higher. The poverty rate stands at 6.7%. This is 27% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $375,900. Housing costs are 23% higher than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 71.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Forest Lake city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.5% of the population. Asian residents account for 5.9%.
Education
35.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forest Lake city, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 913 Census-designated places in Minnesota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Forest Lake city, Minnesota?
Forest Lake city, Minnesota has a population of 20,678 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forest Lake city, MN?
The median household income in Forest Lake city is $89,879, which is 14% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Forest Lake city, MN?
The poverty rate in Forest Lake city is 6.7%. This means approximately 1,382 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forest Lake city, Minnesota?
Forest Lake city's population is 81.5% White, 3.6% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forest Lake city, MN?
The median home value in Forest Lake city is $375,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Forest Lake city, Minnesota?
35.7% of adults (25+) in Forest Lake city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.