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
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Lake Forest covers 17.2 sq mi of land at 1116 people per square mile.
About Lake Forest, IL
Educational attainment is the headline number in Lake Forest: 80.8% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. With 19,190 residents, Lake Forest is a city in Illinois.
Earnings sit at the high end: a median household income of $228,120, above the US median of $78,538. Poverty is relatively low for US cities at 2.4%, below the national 12.4%. Housing is expensive: the median home is worth $909,800, with typical rent around $2,120.
The population is unusually well-credentialed for US cities — 80.8% of adults have a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. An unusually large 27.8% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 34 minutes each way.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Lake Forest usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
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% |
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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).
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.