Illinois · Metropolitan Area
Lake Forest is a small city in Illinois with a population of 19,190. Residents earn $228,120 per year, which is 204% above the national average.
Based on current data, Lake Forest receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. 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 stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.
The median household income in Lake Forest is $228,120, which is significantly higher than the national average — 204% above $75,149. This places Lake Forest among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. Only 2.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.
The median home value in Lake Forest is $909,800, making it a premium housing market at 223% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,120 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Lake Forest is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 10 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 750 per 100,000, 62% below the national average.
Lake Forest is a highly educated community — 80.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 99.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.
Lake Forest experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.5 inches, including 33.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
| English Only | 87.0% |
| 11% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 13.0% |
| 3% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $228,120 |
| 204% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $110,436 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,751 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $143,679 |
| Unemployment | 1.2% |
| 67% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 2.4% |
| 81% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 19,967 |
| County GDP | $82,869M |
| Restaurants | 1,607 |
| Healthcare | 2,211 |
| Retail | 2,099 |
| Manufacturing | 811 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $13,960 |
| 299% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.53% |
| Commute Time | 33.7 min |
| Work from Home | 27.8% |
| Census Median | $909,800 |
| 223% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $1,150,871 |
| Median List Price | $1,387,000 |
| Median List Price | $1,387,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $342 |
| Homes Sold | 15 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 100.1% |
| Price Drops | 10.3% |
| Inventory | 68 |
| Census Median Rent | $2,120 |
| 82% above US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $3,830 |
| Studio | $774 |
| 1 Bedroom | $854 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,063 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,370 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,561 |
| Owner-Occupied | 89.3% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $13,960 |
| 299% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 1.53% |
| Obesity | 28.6% |
| 11% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 7.0% |
| Heart Disease | 3.7% |
| High Blood Pressure | 25.8% |
| Asthma | 9.1% |
| COPD | 3.4% |
| Stroke | 1.9% |
| Binge Drinking | 19.0% |
| Physical Inactivity | 12.3% |
| Depression | 19.5% |
| Mental Distress | 13.2% |
| Physical Distress | 8.0% |
| Insurance Rate | 97.8% |
| Checkup Rate | 76.2% |
| Premature Death | 5,610/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.7/10 |
| Exercise Access | 98.2% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 2,211 |
| Total Violent | 10.3/100K |
| 97% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 0.0/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 10.3/100K |
| Total Property | 749.6/100K |
| 62% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 98.2/100K |
| Theft | 641.1/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 10.3/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 55 |
| Safety Grade | D |
| Safety Score | 1.7 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 49.6°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 39.5 inches |
| 4% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 33.6 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 682 ft (208 m) |
| Area | 17.2 sq mi (44.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,116/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.2354°N, 87.8573°W |
| County FIPS | 17097 |
Winner: Democrat by 20.8 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.8% |
| 140% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 99.1% |
| School Test Score | 5.34 |
| RUCC Code 1 | Metro — 1 million+ |
| Population Density | 1,116/sq mi |
| Total Area | 17.2 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 5 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 5 |
| Public Libraries | 25 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 2,211 |
| Restaurants | 1,607 |
| Retail Stores | 2,099 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 55 |
| Avg Commute | 33.7 min |
| Work from Home | 27.8% |