Forest Lake, MN
Full City Profile · Minnesota · Washington County County
3.4
/5.0
B
Good
20,678
Population
677/sq mi density
$89,879
Median Income
$45,527 per capita
$375,900
Home Value
$429,007 Zillow
$1,379
Median Rent
30.3% income on rent
45°F
Avg Temperature
121
Violent Crime/100K
1,480 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$89,879 median income, 4.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$375,900 home value, $1,379/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
121 violent crimes/100K
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
35.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Forest Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.1 inches. The area receives 51.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.9°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 954 ft (291 m) |
| Area | 35.5 sq mi (92.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 677/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.2508°N, 92.9669°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Washington County County |
| Nearest Airport | New Richmond Regional (RNH) 22 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 98.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0445 ppm |
| SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide) | 0.62 ppb |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 83.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.2 in |
Forest Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 14°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (0.9").