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).
Where to stay in Lake Forest
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.