96th largest of 176
Among California’s 176 cities of 50,000+ residents, Lake Forest ranks 96th by population (86,333, July 2025).
Lake Forest is a city in California. The Census Bureau estimates 86,333 residents in July 2025, compared with 85,858 counted in the 2020 Census. With 17 square miles of land, it had 5,137 people per square mile in 2020. These figures describe the city itself, not its county or metropolitan area.
Key indicators
Population
86,333
July 2025 estimate · Census Bureau
2020 Census population
85,858
April 2020 · Decennial Census
Change since 2020
+0.5%
April 2020 base to July 2025
Households
30,466
ACS 2020–2024
Population density
5,137 /mi²
2020 Census · 17 mi² of land
Median household income
$135,175
ACS 2020–2024 · 2024 dollars
Median home value
$937,000
ACS 2020–2024
Median gross rent
$2,672 /month
ACS 2020–2024
Poverty rate
8.5%
ACS 2020–2024
Bachelor’s degree or higher
50.8%
Adults 25+ · ACS 2020–2024
Foreign-born residents
27.4%
ACS 2020–2024
Hispanic or Latino residents
27.0%
ACS 2020–2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population · annual estimates
2010–202586,333▲ 11%
Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2020 for 2010–2019, Vintage 2025 from 2020).
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate, 2025 | 86,333 | Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 |
| Population estimates base, April 2020 | 85,871 | Census Bureau |
| Population, 2020 Census | 85,858 | Decennial Census |
| Population, 2010 Census | 77,264 | Decennial Census |
| Population, 2000 Census | 58,707 | Decennial Census |
| Land area | 16.7 mi² | Census Gazetteer 2024 |
| Median age | 40.2 years | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Per capita income | $60,633 | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Owner-occupied housing | 70.5% | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Veterans | 2,357 | Civilians 18+ · ACS 2020–2024 |
Lake Forest in context
Comparable indicators for the city, California and the United States.
| Indicator | City | California | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $135,175 | $99,122 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Median home value | $937,000 | $734,700 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Median gross rent | $2,672 /month | $2,036 /month | $1,413 /month | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Poverty rate | 8.5% | 12.0% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 50.8% | 37.1% | 35.7% | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Foreign-born residents | 27.4% | 27.0% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Owner-occupied housing | 70.5% | 55.9% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 |
| Median age | 40.2 years | 37.9 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 |
Did you know? Lake Forest
Growing since 2020
The city gained 462 residents (+0.5%) from April 2020 to July 2025, 61st for growth among the state’s 176 large cities.
Two decades of change
The census counted 58,707 residents in 2000 and 85,858 in 2020, a +46.2% change.
Above the state income
Median household income is $135,175, +36.4% versus California ($99,122); 31st of 176 large cities.
Home values
The median owner-occupied home is worth $937,000, 47th highest of the state’s 176 large cities.