Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Lake Forest, IL Population, Income & Demographics 2026

CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#7/303 Home Value

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

19,416

Median Agei

46.1

Race & Ethnicityi

White

80.2%15,577

Asian

6.4%1,248

Hispanic/Latino

6.1%1,182

Two or More

5.4%1,046

Black

1%186

Other

0.9%172

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%5

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

0.2%33

High School Diploma

4.6%614

Some College (<1 yr)

2%269

Some College (1+ yr)

7.2%962

Associate's Degree

3.5%464

Bachelor's Degree

38.6%5,135

Master's Degree

25.4%3,382

Professional Degree

12.1%1,610

Doctorate

4.4%579

HS or Higher

98.1%

BA or Higher

80.5%

Graduate+

41.9%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$938,300

Median Renti

$1,815

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

88.8%6,124

Renter-Occupied

11.2%776

Total Units

7,282

Homeownership

88.8%

Vacancy Rate

5.2%

Home Values

Under $50K

1.2%74

$50K–$100K

0.9%54

$100K–$150K

1%64

$150K–$200K

0.9%53

$200K–$300K

2.2%137

$300K–$500K

10.5%640

$500K–$1M

40%2,448

$1M+

43.3%2,654

Rent Distribution

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

$1,000–$1,250

117

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

207

$2,000+

262

Year Built

2020 or later

0.7%51

2010–2019

5.5%401

2000–2009

12.4%901

1990–1999

11.9%866

1980–1989

15.1%1,103

1970–1979

11.8%856

1960–1969

11.6%846

1950–1959

11.5%836

1940–1949

1.5%112

1939 or earlier

18%1,310

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

83.9%5,788

Electricity

15.5%1,071

Other

0.3%21

Bottled/LP Gas

0.1%9

Coal

0.1%8

Fuel Oil

0%3

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$235,081

Mean Household Incomei

$303,251

Per Capita Incomei

$109,918

Poverty Ratei

3.3%

Unemploymenti

1.8%

Labor Forcei

8,756

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

2%139

$10K–$15K

0.4%30

$15K–$20K

0.5%36

$20K–$25K

0.9%59

$30K–$35K

2.7%183

$35K–$40K

1.6%107

$40K–$45K

1.3%87

$45K–$50K

0.4%26

$50K–$60K

3.1%216

$60K–$75K

5.7%391

$75K–$100K

7.6%522

$100K–$125K

6.1%419

$125K–$150K

4.7%322

$150K–$200K

7.6%522

$200K+

55.7%3,841

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers3 homes

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

8,562

Avg. Commutei

31.3 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

8,602

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

426(2.7% of civilian adults)