Median Age
46 Years
Largest Age Group
15-24 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
22%
Over 65
25%
Lake Forest
Lake Forest, IL Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,907
Population
19,972
Renter Mix
15% Rent
A luxurious lakeside hamlet with Chicago at your fingertips
Suburb
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Commuter
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Rail Service
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Metra
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Lake
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Golf
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Parks
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Schools
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Safe
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Low Crime
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Family Friendly
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Upscale
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Lake Forest is a thriving city in the North Shore suburbs, positioned about thirty miles from the Chicago Loop. Full of swanky homes and upscale apartments, Lake Forest has developed a reputation as one of the Chicagoland area’s most exclusive communities. Boasting an extremely low crime rate and superb public schools, it’s a particularly desirable option for folks raising families.
The lakefront offers terrific scenic views as well as opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing; further inland, a network of large parks and golf courses provides residents with endless opportunities to spend quality time outdoors. Two separate Metra stations make it easy to get around the region by rail, with Chicago less than an hour’s ride away.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$195,578
Average: $200,557
Education
11,618
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
8,928
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Lake Forest has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
15%
Non-Renters
85%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
56%
Other Education
44%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Lake Forest, IL is $2,907 for one bedroom, $4,382 for two bedrooms, and $6,110 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Lake Forest has increased by 0.6% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,907/month
807 Sq Ft
House
$8,058/month
4,033 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Lake Forest, IL is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
20
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
264 Students
Public
Grades K-5
346 Students
Public
Grades K-5
336 Students
Public
Grades K-5
318 Students
Public
Grades K-8
152 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
402 Students
Public
Grades K-8
152 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,438 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
- Derwen Mawr Nature Preserve
- West Skokie Nature Preserve
- Mellody Farm Nature Preserve
- Skokie River Nature Preserve
- Wildlife Discovery Center
Airports
- Chicago O'Hare International
- Chicago Midway International
Top Apartments in Lake Forest
Houses for Rent in Lake Forest
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
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.