Forest Lake, Minnesota Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Forest Lake, Minnesota is 20,678 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 58th-largest city in Minnesota. The median household income is $89,879, the median home value is $375,900, and the median age is 38.8.
The population has grown 12.2% since 2010 (18,446 → 20,700).
20,678
Population
677
People / sq mi
$89,879
Median Income
$375,900
Median Home Value
Get Forest Lake's next ACS population data
Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Forest Lake covers 30.5 sq mi of land at 677 people per square mile.
About Forest Lake, MN
Forest Lake stands apart on settlement density — it is among the most sparsely settled of US cities, at roughly 677 people per square mile. With 20,678 residents, Forest Lake is a city in Minnesota.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $89,879 — above the US median of $78,538. Only 4.3% of residents live in poverty, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $375,900, with typical rent around $1,379.
Roughly 35.7% of adults have a bachelor’s, near the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the higher side at 16.1%, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 25 minutes each way.
Forest Lake city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Forest Lake city had a population of 18,446 in 2010 and 20,700 in 2024, a 12.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 20,933 in 2019. Average annual growth rate: 0.83%.
20,700
Population (2024)
18,446
Population (2010)
20,933
Peak (2019)
0.83%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 18,446 |
| 2011 | 18,563 |
| 2012 | 18,819 |
| 2013 | 18,980 |
| 2014 | 19,237 |
| 2015 | 19,401 |
| 2016 | 19,580 |
| 2017 | 19,839 |
| 2018 | 20,226 |
| 2019 | 20,933 |
| 2020 | 20,702 |
| 2021 | 20,646 |
| 2022 | 20,897 |
| 2023 | 20,723 |
| 2024 | 20,700 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 82.4% |
| Black or African American | 3.6% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$89,879
Median Household Income
$45,527
Per Capita Income
4.3%
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$375,900
Median Home Value
$1,379
Median Rent
71.8%
Owner-Occupied
Education
93.3%
High School+
35.7%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.0%
Drive Alone
73.0%
Public Transit
16.1%
Work From Home
25.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
17.7%
Foreign Born
91.0%
Non-English at Home
4.7%
Veterans
11.2%
With Disability
95.2%
Health Insurance
96.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 22.6% |
| Manufacturing | 12.8% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 11.2% |
| Construction | 10.5% |
| Information | 9.2% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.2% |
| Retail Trade | 4.2% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.7% |
| Public Administration | 3.0% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 2.6% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.7% |
Largest cities in Minnesota
Largest counties in Minnesota
Part of Minnesota
Metro areas in Minnesota
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Forest Lake, Minnesota has a population of 20,678 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 58th-largest city in Minnesota.
The median household income in Forest Lake, Minnesota is $89,879, with 4.3% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Forest Lake, Minnesota is $375,900, with median monthly rent at $1,379 and a homeownership rate of 71.8%.
The median age in Forest Lake, Minnesota is 38.8 years. The population is 48.9% male and 51.1% female.
The population has grown 12.2% since 2010 (18,446 → 20,700).
Where to stay in Forest Lake
Visiting or relocating to Forest Lake, MN? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
More from Minnesota
Population 426,845
Population 307,762
Population 121,638
Population 88,838
Population 86,863
Full rankings of Minnesota cities by population
Statewide data for Minnesota
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Minnesota
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.