Median Age
41 Years
Largest Age Group
35-44 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
17%
Lake Forest
Lake Forest, CA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,492
Population
81,561
Renter Mix
31% Rent
Live comfortably surrounded by nature and great eateries
Community
•
Outdoors
•
Park-Like
•
Great Schools
•
California
•
Lake Forest, set in Orange County, combines suburban living with natural surroundings. The city earned its name from two man-made lakes and eucalyptus groves planted in the early 1900s. The rental market reflects current trends, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $2,493 per month and two-bedroom units at $3,147. Residents enjoy access to the Lake Forest Beach and Tennis Club and Sun and Sail Club, which offer swimming pools, tennis courts, and community spaces.
The 86.2-acre Sports Park anchors the city's recreational offerings, complemented by Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park's hiking trails and natural terrain. The area features notable landmarks like Saddleback Church and Heritage Hill Historical Park, where visitors can explore the 1863 Jose Serrano Adobe and other preserved structures showcasing early California history. The etnies Skatepark, North America's largest public skating facility, adds to Lake Forest's recreational appeal. The city maintains a strong economic presence with corporate offices, including Oakley and Panasonic Avionics headquarters.
Explore the City
Splendid gardens greet you as you drive to your new Lake Forest home.
Find Mediterranean-style homes nestled in the hills of Lake Forest, California.
Take advantage of the Lake Forest neighborhood public transportation with OCTA bus stops.
Equestrians can bring their horses and ride the designated trails in Serrano Creek Park.
Brü Grill & Market is a favorite spot for locals in Lake Forest.
Enjoy the lake and the company of geese at Veterans Park in Lake Forest.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$128,267
Average: $152,804
Education
33,297
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
44,513
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Lake Forest has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
31%
Non-Renters
69%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
36%
Other Education
64%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Lake Forest, CA is $2,400 for a studio, $2,494 for one bedroom, $3,187 for two bedrooms, and $3,965 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Lake Forest has increased by 1.0% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,494/month
713 Sq Ft
House
$5,049/month
1,744 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,850/month
973 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Lake Forest, CA is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Very Drivable
Drivability
80
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
60
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley
Public
Grades K-8
565 Students
Public
Grades K-5
990 Students
Foothill Ranch Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
990 Students
Rancho Cañada Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
633 Students
Public
Grades K-5
554 Students
Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley
Public
Grades K-8
565 Students
Oxford Preparatory Academy - Middle
Public
Grades 6-8
495 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
868 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,902 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,902 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary
- O'Neill Regional Park
- Rancho Sonado
- Starr Ranch Sanctuary
- Riley Wilderness Park
Commuter Rail
Airports
- John Wayne/Orange County
- Ontario International
Top Apartments in Lake Forest
Houses for Rent in Lake Forest
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.