Economy, jobs and prices in Lake Forest, California: official figures
The median household income in Lake Forest was $135,175 a year in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey (in 2024 dollars), 58th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US median was $80,734 and the California median $99,122.
What is the per capita income in Lake Forest?
Income per resident (per capita income) in Lake Forest averaged $60,633 a year in 2020-2024, 107th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $44,673; California: $49,513).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in Lake Forest?
Lake Forest's Gini index of household income inequality was 0.419 in 2020-2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 maximum inequality), 187th least unequal of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US figure was 0.483.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Lake Forest, California?
4.9% of the civilian labor force in Lake Forest was unemployed on average over 2020-2024 (2,380 people), 346th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US rate in the same survey was 5.2% and California's 6.6%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Lake Forest have jobs?
46,101 residents of Lake Forest held civilian jobs, 66.1% of those aged 16 and over (US: 59.7%), and 58 served in the armed forces.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Lake Forest?
The largest industry group for working residents of Lake Forest was education, health care and social assistance (18.2% of employed residents), followed by professional, scientific, management and administrative services (15.5%) and manufacturing (12.4%), 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Lake Forest work in manufacturing?
Manufacturing employed 12.4% of working residents of Lake Forest, 170th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 9.9%); professional, scientific and management services employed 15.5% (US: 12.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow long is the commute in Lake Forest, California?
Commuters in Lake Forest took 25.5 minutes on average to get to work in 2020-2024, 357th longest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 26.4 minutes); 6.7% travelled an hour or more and 22.9% less than 15 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow do people in Lake Forest get to work?
24.4% of workers living in Lake Forest worked from home in 2020-2024, 116th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 15.1%). 65.5% drove to work alone, 6.5% carpooled, 1.0% used public transport and 1.1% walked.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in Lake Forest, California?
The median gross rent (rent plus utilities) in Lake Forest was $2,672 a month in 2020-2024, 33rd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $1,413; California: $2,036).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does a house cost in Lake Forest?
Owner-occupied homes in Lake Forest had a median value of $937,000 in 2020-2024 as estimated by their owners, 56th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $332,700; California: $734,700).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow affordable are homes in Lake Forest?
The median home value in Lake Forest was 6.9 times the median household income, 131st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 4.1 times).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Lake Forest have no internet?
2.2% of households in Lake Forest (668) had no internet access at home in 2020-2024, 100th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.5%); 7.9% relied on a cellular data plan alone (US: 11.5%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Lake Forest compares with other cities in the United States
Median household income (2024 dollars) (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 58 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median household income (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Mission Viejo | $136,123 |
| 56 | Thousand Oaks | $135,603 |
| 57 | Holly Springs | $135,578 |
| 58 | Lake Forest | $135,175 |
| 59 | Cary | $134,905 |
| 60 | Madison | $134,655 |
| 61 | South Jordan | $134,047 |
Per capita income (2024 dollars) (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 107 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Per capita income (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 104 | Huntersville | $61,224 |
| 105 | Sarasota | $60,995 |
| 106 | Petaluma | $60,931 |
| 107 | Lake Forest | $60,633 |
| 108 | Overland Park | $60,602 |
| 109 | Milford | $60,594 |
| 110 | Leander | $60,586 |
Gini index of household income inequality (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 637 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Gini index of household income inequality |
|---|---|---|
| 634 | Manchester | 0.419 |
| 635 | Milpitas | 0.419 |
| 636 | Oceanside | 0.419 |
| 637 | Lake Forest | 0.419 |
| 638 | Jacksonville | 0.419 |
| 639 | Pomona | 0.419 |
| 640 | Homestead | 0.419 |
Unemployment rate (share of civilian labor force) (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 478 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate (share of civilian labor force) |
|---|---|---|
| 475 | Chesapeake | 4.9% |
| 476 | North Port | 4.9% |
| 477 | Dallas | 4.9% |
| 478 | Lake Forest | 4.9% |
| 479 | Orange | 4.9% |
| 480 | Buckeye | 4.9% |
| 481 | Georgetown | 4.9% |
Labor force participation rate (16 and over) (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 175 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Labor force participation rate (16 and over) |
|---|---|---|
| 172 | Greer | 69.6% |
| 173 | Cambridge | 69.6% |
| 174 | Allen | 69.6% |
| 175 | Lake Forest | 69.6% |
| 176 | Rogers | 69.6% |
| 177 | Centennial | 69.5% |
| 178 | League City | 69.5% |
Mean travel time to work (minutes) (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 357 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Mean travel time to work (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| 354 | St. Petersburg | 25.6 |
| 355 | Lakewood | 25.5 |
| 356 | O'Fallon | 25.5 |
| 357 | Lake Forest | 25.5 |
| 358 | Cedar Park | 25.5 |
| 359 | Killeen | 25.5 |
| 360 | Broomfield | 25.5 |
Workers who worked from home (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 116 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Workers who worked from home |
|---|---|---|
| 113 | Overland Park | 24.6% |
| 114 | Arvada | 24.5% |
| 115 | McKinney | 24.5% |
| 116 | Lake Forest | 24.4% |
| 117 | Lehi | 24.4% |
| 118 | Thousand Oaks | 24.3% |
| 119 | Waltham | 24.2% |
Workers commuting by public transportation (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 433 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Workers commuting by public transportation |
|---|---|---|
| 430 | San Luis Obispo | 1.0% |
| 431 | Lakeville | 1.0% |
| 432 | Rancho Cucamonga | 1.0% |
| 433 | Lake Forest | 1.0% |
| 434 | Knoxville | 1.0% |
| 435 | Lehi | 1.0% |
| 436 | Rocky Mount | 1.0% |
Employed residents working in manufacturing (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 170 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employed residents working in manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| 167 | Council Bluffs | 12.5% |
| 168 | New Britain | 12.5% |
| 169 | Huntsville | 12.4% |
| 170 | Lake Forest | 12.4% |
| 171 | Redondo Beach | 12.4% |
| 172 | Oceanside | 12.4% |
| 173 | Clifton | 12.3% |
Employed residents in education, health care and social assistance (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 757 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employed residents in education, health care and social assistance |
|---|---|---|
| 754 | Santa Maria | 18.2% |
| 755 | Brookhaven | 18.2% |
| 756 | Springdale | 18.2% |
| 757 | Lake Forest | 18.2% |
| 758 | Hollywood | 18.1% |
| 759 | Dunwoody | 18.1% |
| 760 | Lakewood | 18.1% |
Median gross rent per month (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 33 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median gross rent per month |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Redondo Beach | $2,691 |
| 31 | Walnut Creek | $2,680 |
| 32 | Livermore | $2,677 |
| 33 | Lake Forest | $2,672 |
| 34 | San Jose | $2,669 |
| 35 | Doral | $2,669 |
| 36 | Thousand Oaks | $2,664 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 56 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | Tustin | $950,400 |
| 54 | Orange | $945,800 |
| 55 | Seattle | $938,600 |
| 56 | Lake Forest | $937,000 |
| 57 | San Luis Obispo | $935,100 |
| 58 | Oakland | $929,900 |
| 59 | Bothell | $925,100 |
Median home value as a multiple of median household income (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 128 of 820, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median home value as a multiple of median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 125 | Upland | 7.0x |
| 126 | Fall River | 7.0x |
| 127 | Lakewood | 6.9x |
| 128 | Lake Forest | 6.9x |
| 129 | Chino Hills | 6.9x |
| 130 | Eugene | 6.9x |
| 131 | Livermore | 6.9x |
Occupied homes lived in by their owners (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 152 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Occupied homes lived in by their owners |
|---|---|---|
| 149 | Thousand Oaks | 70.8% |
| 150 | Suffolk | 70.7% |
| 151 | Pico Rivera | 70.5% |
| 152 | Lake Forest | 70.5% |
| 153 | Dearborn Heights | 70.5% |
| 154 | Edmond | 70.3% |
| 155 | Brooklyn Park | 70.3% |
Households with a broadband subscription (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 37 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households with a broadband subscription |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Allen | 97.2% |
| 35 | Carmel | 97.1% |
| 36 | Doral | 97.1% |
| 37 | Lake Forest | 97.1% |
| 38 | Wylie | 97.1% |
| 39 | Pflugerville | 97.1% |
| 40 | San Ramon | 97.1% |
Households with no internet access (2020-2024)
Lake Forest ranks 724 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households with no internet access |
|---|---|---|
| 721 | Ankeny | 2.2% |
| 722 | Plymouth | 2.2% |
| 723 | Roswell | 2.2% |
| 724 | Lake Forest | 2.2% |
| 725 | College Station | 2.2% |
| 726 | Hendersonville | 2.2% |
| 727 | Bozeman | 2.2% |
More on Lake Forest: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B08013: Aggregate Travel Time to Work (in Minutes) of Workers by Sex (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 6939fdfa046fd5bb829ec8da9549e66298cc740f6a3f5dd60e1920a08e3083fb), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5f94e7878b6a…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B23025: Employment Status for the Population 16 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 264a5bd9367c5f58d9773fa4966fa94fe1e02f9c7106bc2ab39168d6de7c3e4a), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2630e6946370…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19083: Gini Index of Income Inequality (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 338f7a1191eaaf3913913e78c36aaa9d82f2b5c8faaf889be2e597b28869205e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b8cf854b1f94…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C24030: Sex by Industry for the Civilian Employed Population 16 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 66a2799a71a5fc36f0e3bc22767fe5bdd8f96eb29e85b91311e990d35cc14114), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5d717c57e7e4…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19013: Median Household Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 b25a176b0e6c339b6f3a2a0d3d8446bf06f5f080b4395993ec9a8313efb1c229), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1d8a264807c6…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B08301: Means of Transportation to Work (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 552b24c135b6e7c566910914a861cda6fc798ba0cd47801b1eb64295a128c2ee), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 eaf823006d53…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19301: Per Capita Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 9fc107e98fee7fa49bb8314560205569184fad65fb64b80adb5c5bdd83ccc409), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 24c1e725b26a…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25064: Median Gross Rent (Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 b36e6dc1fcef36b8b307d31b37517b64c80d8b9c70d48c9b1894242860f42eb0), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b842a7ff825c…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25077: Median Value (Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 89eb2153764a2330b23959d8bbc29b3a8f3016f087b990f2a8ea0d5096d9a816), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 22b59a3b1acb…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B28002: Presence and Types of Internet Subscriptions in Household (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 12446ff0691b8818f5908cdc398817361772c5b3078c506d0409adc9c841840b), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4b375b368bf9…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25003: Tenure (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 68e963e1ed60fcf6b0658579cefc6498b7a9eb780b9f3e87fd1b9775c4d4ac6c), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2983c28f47fa…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.