Lake Forest, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Lake Forest, California is 85,846 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 100th-largest city in California. The median household income is $131,378, the median home value is $876,300, and the median age is 40.4.
The population has grown 12.4% since 2010 (77,552 → 87,159).
85,846
Population
5136
People / sq mi
$131,378
Median Income
$876,300
Median Home Value
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Lake Forest covers 16.7 sq mi of land at 5136 people per square mile.
About Lake Forest, CA
Housing cost is the defining feature of Lake Forest: the median home is valued at $876,300. With 85,846 residents, Lake Forest is a city in California.
The typical household earns $131,378 a year, above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 5.7%, below the national 12.4%. Housing is expensive: the median home is worth $876,300, with typical rent around $2,616.
College attainment is above the local norm at 50.1%, above the national 35.0%. About 21.7% of workers primarily work from home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 25 minutes each way.
High housing values reframe the income picture in Lake Forest — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.
Lake Forest city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Lake Forest city had a population of 77,552 in 2010 and 87,159 in 2024, a 12.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 87,159 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.84%.
87,159
Population (2024)
77,552
Population (2010)
87,159
Peak (2024)
0.84%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 77,552 |
| 2011 | 78,299 |
| 2012 | 78,727 |
| 2013 | 79,112 |
| 2014 | 79,678 |
| 2015 | 81,964 |
| 2016 | 83,019 |
| 2017 | 83,878 |
| 2018 | 85,381 |
| 2019 | 85,531 |
| 2020 | 85,926 |
| 2021 | 85,928 |
| 2022 | 86,130 |
| 2023 | 86,354 |
| 2024 | 87,159 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 52.2% |
| Black or African American | 1.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.2% |
Economy & Income
$131,378
Median Household Income
$58,506
Per Capita Income
5.7%
Poverty Rate
3.2%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$876,300
Median Home Value
$2,616
Median Rent
70.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
93.9%
High School+
50.1%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.0%
Drive Alone
67.3%
Public Transit
21.7%
Work From Home
25.1 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
18.1%
Foreign Born
63.8%
Non-English at Home
3.7%
Veterans
8.7%
With Disability
95.7%
Health Insurance
97.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 19.1% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 15.6% |
| Manufacturing | 12.0% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 8.6% |
| Information | 8.1% |
| Retail Trade | 5.3% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.0% |
| Construction | 4.9% |
| Public Administration | 3.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.9% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Lake Forest, California has a population of 85,846 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 100th-largest city in California.
The median household income in Lake Forest, California is $131,378, with 5.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Lake Forest, California is $876,300, with median monthly rent at $2,616 and a homeownership rate of 70.7%.
The median age in Lake Forest, California is 40.4 years. The population is 49.8% male and 50.2% female.
The population has grown 12.4% since 2010 (77,552 → 87,159).
Lake Forest city, CA Climate
Lake Forest city, CA has an average annual temperature of 17.6°C (64°F) and receives about 349 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is August and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
17.6°C
Avg Temp
349
Precip (mm/yr)
Aug
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13° / 56° | 72 mm |
| February | 14° / 57° | 72 mm |
| March | 14° / 58° | 69 mm |
| April | 16° / 61° | 22 mm |
| May | 18° / 64° | 6 mm |
| June | 20° / 68° | 2 mm |
| July | 22° / 72° | 1 mm |
| August | 23° / 73° | 3 mm |
| September | 22° / 72° | 9 mm |
| October | 20° / 67° | 9 mm |
| November | 16° / 60° | 35 mm |
| December | 13° / 56° | 49 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Lake Forest city, CA
The most comfortable months to visit Lake Forest city, CA are typically June, July and September, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is August (around 29°C high). The coldest is January (near 7°C low). January is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Lake Forest
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.