A half-hour outside of Chicago is the wealthy city of Lake Forest, IL. Lake Forest is known for its stunning and historic architecture that dates back to the 1800s. Lake Forest IL was one of the first affluent Chicago suburbs and it has been the home of countless historic figures and wealthy individuals . Now, it still holds up to that namesake. With sprawling mansions, Lake Forest is an affluent city that is home to many retired individuals and older families. If you’re looking for a safe community and have the money to spend, this may be the perfect town for you.
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Lake Forest, IL Demographics
Lake Forest is relatively small. The population of Lake Forest is 18,931 people. The median age in Lake Forest is 47.9, which is much older than some of the other surrounding cities. The poverty rate is incredibly low at 3.23%. The racial demographics of Lake Forest are 86.9% White, 6.78% Asian, 2.65% Hispanic, 1.75% Black or African American, and 1.61% Two or More Races. Living in Lake Forest is incredibly safe. The crime rate in Lake Forest is 63% lower than the rest of the nation.
Lake Forest is located in Lake County. The zip codes in Lake Forest are 60035 and 60045. Lake Forest area codes are 847 and 224.
Cost of Living in Lake Forest, IL
Residing in Lake Forest isn’t very affordable. The biggest reason that Lake Forest is so expensive is the housing. Housing in Lake Forest is 223% more expensive than the national average. The average price of a Lake Forest home is $740,000 or $202 per square foot. However, the good news is that the home prices are trending down, and they’re 15% cheaper per square foot than they were last year. Now is a great time to buy one of the many Lake Forest, IL homes for sale! The homeownership rate in Lake Forest is 86.7%. However, for those renting, you can expect to pay the average cost of rent in Lake Forest of $1,621 for a one-bedroom apartment.
Thankfully, everything else in Lake Forest is fairly affordable. Though you’ll pay about 8% more for groceries, you’ll actually pay 6% less in utilities and 6.3% less than the national average for transportation. Still, overall, Lake Forest ranks about 70% more expensive than the national average.
Lake Forest, IL Neighborhoods
Those migrating to Lake Forest won’t find many neighborhoods. Mostly, the city is broken up into four communities: East Lake Forest, South Lake Forest, West Lake Forest, and North Lake Forest. All of them have their pros and cons. East Lake Forest is considered to be one of the most desirable Lake Forest neighborhoods because it’s close to the dining, downtown area, and many of the homes have been established for quite some time. South Lake Forest has homes that are usually in the $1,000,000+ range, and are the mansions that the city is known for.
Don’t count out West Lake Forest, which is a new development. There is plenty of land out there, and many people are buying and building their dream home, so expect some construction. North Lake Forest has some more affordable housing, and many of the homes in this area are a bit older.
Lake Forest, IL Weather
Those migrating to Lake Forest can expect chilly weather in the winter and humid warm weather in the summer. The average temperature in Lake Forest ranges from highs of 33°F to 84°F to lows of 15°F to 57°F. You can expect a small amount of rain each month. The rainiest month in Lake Forest is April and June, which each have an average of 10 days of rain.
Things to Do in Lake Forest
Looking for the best things to do in Lake Forest? Whether you need family-friendly attractions or free activities, check out the most popular places to go in Lake Forest below.
Forest Park
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Ready to feel like you’re in another state? Forest Park is a free park in Lake Forest which is home to a sandy beach. Go on the walking trails and enjoy the scenery before taking them down to the lakefront beach where you can walk along the shore and enjoy the breeze blowing through. It’s a favorite of the locals, but be sure to dress appropriately for the weather! It can be fairly breezy and cold.
801 N Lake Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045, (847) 234-2600
Wildlife Discovery Center
Looking for fun things to do with kids in Lake Forest? The Wildlife Discovery Center is the place to go! With over 670 acres to explore, there are animals of all types. It’s a protection center and biological training center, so many of the animals are rehabbed or saved animals. Your older kids can learn about the different species and young toddlers will like looking at the different animals. They work solely off of donations, so though there isn’t an admission cost, they ask you to donate when possible.
1401 Middlefork Dr, Lake Forest, IL 60045, (847) 810-3663
Lake Forest, IL also provides for some very convenient shopping, including Market Square and Sunset Corners Shopping Center.
Lake Forest Restaurants
Ready for a delicious bite to eat? Check out these top-rated restaurants in Lake Forest, IL.
The Lantern of Lake Forest
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With regular live music, this Lake Forest eatery is one of the best places to go for date night. Delicious burgers and beers round out theri menu, and with over 400 positive reviews on Google alone, it’s clear that this is the place to go for a night out.
768 N Western Ave, Lake Forest, IL 60045, (847) 234-9844
Egg Harbor Cafe
If you’re looking for a delicious brunch food in Lake Forest, you can’t miss out on this local favorite. A delightful Lake Forest cafe, you can choose from savory choices, like eggs and sausage, or sweet delights, like pastries and french toast. It’s a family-friendly Lake Forest restaurant that you’ll want to add to your list.
512 N Western Ave, Lake Forest, IL 60045, (847) 295-3449
Jobs in Lake Forest, IL
The median household income in Lake Forest is $169,122. Some popular occupations in Lake Forest are IT managers, Principal Software Engineers, Business Development Specialists, and senior financial analysts. There are 8,083 employees in Lake Forest, and you can find Indeed jobs in Lake Forest here. Many people also commute to nearby Chicago for the plentiful jobs that they have there. If that’s what you plan to do, click on the link for directions from Lake Forest to Chicago, which is 32.5 miles.
Lake Forest, IL Schools
The majority of people relocating to Lake Forest are older individuals, and many of the children are teenagers. The most popular Lake Forest school is Lake Forest High School, which is known for its high test scores and low student to teacher ratio. Private schools in Lake Forest include Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart and Lake Forest Country Day School. There are also a few higher education options, which include Lake Forest College and Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.
Moving to Lake Forest Tips
- Living in Lake Forest gives you a safe community
- Lake Forest schools are rated highly
- There are many retired individuals and older families in Lake Forest
- Enjoy the delicious restaurants and live music
- Try out the different parks and landmarks in Lake Forest
- Experience the cool weather year round
- Get a job in Lake Forest or nearby Chicago
Migrating to Lake Forest is the perfect choice if you can afford to be in this affluent community! If you’re ready to call Lake Forest home, it’s time to contact us. At Federal Companies, we have the best Lake Forest movers. We’ll get you into your brand new home without the stress! Give us a call at 800-747-4100 or fill out the form to get a free quote today.
