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Lake Forest, CA
Full City Profile · California · Orange County County
3.4
/5.0
B
Good
85,846
Population
5,137/sq mi density
$131,378
Median Income
$58,506 per capita
$876,300
Home Value
$1,182,053 Zillow
$2,616
Median Rent
33.5% income on rent
62°F
Avg Temperature
329 sunny days/yr
76
Violent Crime/100K
789 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$131,378 median income, 3.2% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.9 / 5.0
$876,300 home value, $2,616/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
76 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
50.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Lake Forest enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 329 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 34.4 inches. The area receives 0.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| 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 |
Geography
| 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 |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Orange County County |
| Nearest Airport | John Wayne/Orange County (SNA) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0440 ppm |
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 18.4 ppb |
| CO (Carbon Monoxide) | 0.35 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 9.7 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very High |
| Risk Score | 99.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.1 m (10 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1930 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.1 m | 1 | 99 km |
| 1862 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.2 m | — | 115 km |
| 1994 | WEST COAST, USA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 57 | 101 km |
| 1855 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 63 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (198 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Salton Buttes | Lava dome(s) | -40 m (-131 ft) | 210 | 198 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| February | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 in | |
| March | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 in | |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 0.4 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 0.4 in | |
| November | 60°F (16°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 55°F (13°C) | 1.9 in |
Lake Forest has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 52°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.8") and July the driest (0.0").