Lake Forest, California

California community balancing growth and livability

Pacific Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metro

WhereAtHome Score

65.3

D

out of 100

Overview

Lake Forest is a California city with a population of approximately 85,840, part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan area. The median home value is approximately $1,187,225. Median household income is $128,358.

Key Highlights

  • Population of approximately 85,840 (2023 Census estimate)
  • Median home value of $1,187,225 (Zillow ZHVI)
  • Median household income of $128,358 (Census ACS)
  • Average commute time of 24.6 minutes
  • Part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area

Key Metrics

Population 2023

85,840

Source: Census ACS

$1,187,225

Source: Zillow ZHVI

$128,358

Source: Census ACS

24.6 min

Source: Census ACS

Walk Score 2026

41

Source: Walk Score

181 (100 = U.S. avg)

Source: AreaVibes / BLS

2024 Presidential Election

Orange County (county-level results)

50%
47%
Democrat 691,731
Republican 654,815
Leans D+2.6

Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more

Score Breakdown

6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.

Housing Affordability 17.3/100

Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)

Income vs Housing 29.8/100

How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)

Commute Time 59/100

Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)

Crime 65/100

Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)

Walkability 41/100

Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)

Purchasing Power 47.8/100

Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)

WhereAtHome Score 65.3

Location

Lake Forest, CA (33.6400, -117.6882)
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Last Updated: 2026-07-01

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.