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
Forest Lake covers 30.5 sq mi of land at 677 people per square mile.
About Forest Lake, MN
Forest Lake is a city in Minnesota with a population of 20,678. It ranks #58 among cities in Minnesota by population. The median age is 38.8, in line with the national median. The population is 48.9% male and 51.1% female.
The median household income in Forest Lake is $89,879, above the US median of $74,580. 4.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $375,900, with monthly rent averaging $1,379. The homeownership rate of 71.8% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Forest Lake reflects 35.7% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 16.1% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 25.4 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).
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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.