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% |
Largest cities in Illinois
Largest counties in Illinois
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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).
Lake Forest city, IL Climate
Lake Forest city, IL has an average annual temperature of 9.1°C (48°F) and receives about 887 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
9.1°C
Avg Temp
887
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | -6° / 22° | 43 mm |
| February | -3° / 26° | 34 mm |
| March | 2° / 36° | 63 mm |
| April | 8° / 47° | 91 mm |
| May | 14° / 58° | 86 mm |
| June | 20° / 67° | 94 mm |
| July | 22° / 72° | 93 mm |
| August | 22° / 71° | 103 mm |
| September | 17° / 63° | 92 mm |
| October | 11° / 52° | 62 mm |
| November | 4° / 39° | 68 mm |
| December | -3° / 27° | 58 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, IL
The most comfortable months to visit Lake Forest city, IL are typically August, July and June, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 28°C high). The coldest is January (near -10°C low). August is usually the wettest month.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.