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Forest Lake, MN

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Forest Lake, MN

Forest Lake is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States, located 27 miles northeast of Saint Paul. The population was 20,611 at the 2020 census. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.54 square miles (92.05 km2); 30.56 square miles (79.15 km2) is land and 4.98 square miles (12.90 km2) is water.

Forest Lake began as a stop on the St. Paul and Duluth Railroad. The first train reached Forest Lake on December 23, 1868. The lake was so named for the abundant timber that lines its shores. Forest Lake Township was organized on March 11, 1874. The first one-room school was built that year at the former location of city hall (220 N. Lake Street). The city of Forest Lake was incorporated on July 11, 1893, with 175 residents. In 2001, the city annexed the surrounding former Forest Lake Township.

The median household income for 2017 was $76,904. The average household income was $93,296. Per capita income was $35,334.

As of the census of 2010, there were 18,375 people, 7,014 households, and 5,044 families residing in the city. The population density was 601.3 inhabitants per square mile (232.2/km2). There were 7,508 housing units at an average density of 245.7 per square mile (94.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.7% White, 1.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population. There were 7,014 households, of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.1% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.04.

Health and wellness are integral aspects of life in Forest Lake, with numerous resources available to support residents' well-being. The city boasts several healthcare facilities, including the Fairview Lakes Medical Center, ensuring access to quality medical services. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Forest Lake Parks and Recreation Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Thousand Lakes Fitness, Snap Fitness, and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Forest Lake, such as the Hardwood Creek Trail and Lakeside Memorial Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Forest Lake, MN are Tanners Brook Golf Course, Castlewood Golf Course, and Tamarack Nature Center.

Population: 20,700 (2024). ZIP code: 55025. Area code: 651. Elevation: 922 feet (281 meters). Area: 35.5 square miles (92 km²).

FAQs

Is Forest Lake, MN a good place to live?

Living in Forest Lake offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Forest Lake, there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Forest Lake and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Forest Lake are above average.

What are the demographics of Forest Lake, MN?

Forest Lake, MN is home to a population of 20.6k people, of which 97% are citizens. As of 2022, 4.87% of Forest Lake, MN residents were born outside of the country (1k people). In 2022, there were 22 times more White (non-Hispanic) residents (17.2k people) in Forest Lake, MN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 780 Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 670 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the poverty rate in Forest Lake, MN?

In 2022, the median household income of Forest Lake households was $91,157. Forest Lake households made slightly more than Skyline households ($90,625), Kingston households ($90,625), and South Haven households ($90,625). However, 4.1% of Forest Lake families live in poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Forest Lake

Fairview Lakes Medical Center

Forest Lake Parks and Recreation Department

Thousand Lakes Fitness

Snap Fitness 

Anytime Fitness

Hardwood Creek Trail 

Lakeside Memorial Park

Tanners Brook Golf Course

Castlewood Golf Course

Tamarack Nature Center

Niche

DataUSA

Minnesota Demographics

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