Lake Forest, Illinois Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Lake Forest, Illinois is 19,190 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 128th-largest city in Illinois. The median household income is $228,120, the median home value is $909,800, and the median age is 46.1.
The population has grown 1.3% since 2010 (19,391 → 19,642).
19,190
Population
1116
People / sq mi
$228,120
Median Income
$909,800
Median Home Value
Lake Forest covers 17.2 sq mi of land at 1116 people per square mile.
About Lake Forest, IL
Lake Forest is a city in Illinois with a population of 19,190. It ranks #128 among cities in Illinois by population. The median age is 46.1, older than the national median. The population is 47.6% male and 52.4% female.
The median household income in Lake Forest is $228,120, above the US median of $74,580. 2.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $909,800, with monthly rent averaging $2,120. The homeownership rate of 89.3% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Lake Forest reflects 80.8% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 27.8% of workers primarily work from home, noticeably above the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 33.7 minutes each way.
Lake Forest city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Lake Forest city had a population of 19,391 in 2010 and 19,642 in 2024, a 1.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 19,642 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.09%.
19,642
Population (2024)
19,391
Population (2010)
19,642
Peak (2024)
0.09%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 19,391 |
| 2011 | 19,378 |
| 2012 | 19,399 |
| 2013 | 19,467 |
| 2014 | 19,477 |
| 2015 | 19,424 |
| 2016 | 19,403 |
| 2017 | 19,598 |
| 2018 | 19,516 |
| 2019 | 19,446 |
| 2020 | 19,349 |
| 2021 | 19,329 |
| 2022 | 19,329 |
| 2023 | 19,499 |
| 2024 | 19,642 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 84.6% |
| Black or African American | 0.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$228,120
Median Household Income
$110,436
Per Capita Income
2.4%
Poverty Rate
1.2%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$909,800
Median Home Value
$2,120
Median Rent
89.3%
Owner-Occupied
Education
99.1%
High School+
80.8%
Bachelor's+
Commute
13.1%
Drive Alone
48.0%
Public Transit
27.8%
Work From Home
33.7 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
33.1%
Foreign Born
87.4%
Non-English at Home
3.3%
Veterans
12.3%
With Disability
98.1%
Health Insurance
97.5%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 24.2% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 21.3% |
| Information | 12.4% |
| Manufacturing | 9.0% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.4% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.6% |
| Public Administration | 4.0% |
| Retail Trade | 2.6% |
| Construction | 2.3% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.9% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.1% |
Largest cities in Illinois
Largest counties in Illinois
Part of Illinois
Metro areas in Illinois
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Lake Forest, Illinois has a population of 19,190 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 128th-largest city in Illinois.
The median household income in Lake Forest, Illinois is $228,120, with 2.4% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Lake Forest, Illinois is $909,800, with median monthly rent at $2,120 and a homeownership rate of 89.3%.
The median age in Lake Forest, Illinois is 46.1 years. The population is 47.6% male and 52.4% female.
The population has grown 1.3% since 2010 (19,391 → 19,642).
More from Illinois
Population 2,707,648
Population 179,867
Population 149,785
Population 149,424
Population 147,649
Full rankings of Illinois cities by population
Statewide data for Illinois
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Illinois
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.