California · Metropolitan Area
Lake Forest is a mid-size city in California with a population of 85,846. Residents earn $131,378 per year, which is 75% above the national average.
Based on current data, Lake Forest receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Lake Forest offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Lake Forest is $131,378, which is significantly higher than the national average — 75% above $75,149. This places Lake Forest among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
The median home value in Lake Forest is $876,300, making it a premium housing market at 211% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,616 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.
Lake Forest is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 130 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 855 per 100,000, 56% below the national average.
Lake Forest is a highly educated community — 50.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 93.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.
Lake Forest enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 329 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 34.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.
| English Only | 65.8% |
| 16% below US avg | |
| Spanish | 34.2% |
| 155% above US avg |
| Median HH Income | $131,378 |
| 75% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $58,506 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,565 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $116,511 |
| Unemployment | 3.2% |
| 11% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 5.7% |
| 54% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 148,394 |
| County GDP | $351,753M |
| Restaurants | 8,853 |
| Healthcare | 13,951 |
| Retail | 9,811 |
| Manufacturing | 4,357 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $10,097 |
| 188% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.15% |
| Commute Time | 25.1 min |
| Work from Home | 21.7% |
| Census Median | $876,300 |
| 211% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $1,182,053 |
| Median List Price | $1,249,900 |
| Median List Price | $1,249,900 |
| $/Sq Ft | $631 |
| Homes Sold | 43 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 99.8% |
| Price Drops | 20.4% |
| Inventory | 157 |
| Census Median Rent | $2,616 |
| 125% above US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $3,071 |
| Studio | $1,513 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,647 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,053 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,752 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,165 |
| Owner-Occupied | 70.7% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $10,097 |
| 188% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 1.15% |
| Obesity | 23.1% |
| 28% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 8.9% |
| Heart Disease | 4.5% |
| High Blood Pressure | 25.4% |
| Asthma | 9.2% |
| COPD | 3.9% |
| Stroke | 2.4% |
| Binge Drinking | 17.1% |
| Physical Inactivity | 20.0% |
| Depression | 20.2% |
| Mental Distress | 16.3% |
| Physical Distress | 10.9% |
| Insurance Rate | 94.6% |
| Checkup Rate | 72.2% |
| Premature Death | 5,325/100K |
| Food Environment | 9.1/10 |
| Exercise Access | 99.1% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 13,951 |
| Total Violent | 130.4/100K |
| 66% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 23.8/100K |
| Robbery | 22.6/100K |
| Assault | 84.0/100K |
| Total Property | 855.2/100K |
| 56% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 159.3/100K |
| Theft | 618.2/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 77.7/100K |
| Arson | 2.5/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 238 |
| FEMA Disasters | 364 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 61.7°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 329 days/yr |
| Annual Rainfall | 34.4 inches |
| 9% below US avg | |
| Snowfall | 0.6 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 627 ft (191 m) |
| Area | 16.7 sq mi (43.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 5,137/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.6549°N, 117.6758°W |
| County FIPS | 06059 |
Winner: Democrat by 2.7 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.1% |
| 49% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 93.9% |
| School Test Score | 4.69 |
| RUCC Code 1 | Metro — 1 million+ |
| Population Density | 5,137/sq mi |
| Total Area | 16.7 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 29 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 35 |
| Public Libraries | 67 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 13,951 |
| Restaurants | 8,853 |
| Retail Stores | 9,811 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 238 |
| FEMA Disaster Declarations | 364 |
| Avg Commute | 25.1 min |
| Work from Home | 21.7% |