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Lake Forest Park, WA

Frequently asked questions

Lake Forest Park, WA

Lake Forest Park is a suburban city in King County, Washington, United States, located northeast of Seattle. It was developed in the 20th century as a bedroom community with single-family housing on medium to large-sized lots. Less than 4% of the city's land is zoned commercial, largely concentrated in one location, and there are no industrial areas.

The city is situated at the northwest end of Lake Washington along State Route 522, which provides connections to Seattle and Bothell. Lake Forest Park includes several parks and nature reserves, access to the Burke–Gilman Trail, and organized summer events. The population of the city was 13,630 at the 2020 census.

Lake Forest Park was founded in 1912 by Ole Hanson as one of the Seattle area's first planned communities. Envisioned as a picturesque retreat for professionals, the developers planned roads and lots in strict consideration for natural landmarks.

Lake Forest Park was officially incorporated on June 20, 1961, in large part to help maintain its specific identity. The town remained small - under 5,000 in population - until the 1990s, when a series of annexations expanded city borders significantly and more than doubled the official population.

Lake Forest Park is situated at the north end of Lake Washington. The city's southern boundary begins at the city limit of Seattle. To the north, Lake Forest Park ends at the Snohomish county line, where the adjacent towns of Mountlake Terrace and Brier border it. To the east, the city is bounded by Lake Washington and at 55th Avenue NE where the city of Kenmore begins; the Burke-Gilman Trail runs in parallel to the lake shore, following the shoreline into Kenmore to the north, and Seattle to the south. The city's western boundary is at the City of Shoreline's city limit, mostly following 25th Avenue NE.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.65 square miles (9.45 km²), of which, 3.53 square miles (9.14 km²) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km²) is water. The two largest streams are Lyon Creek and McAleer Creek, both of which provide habitat for salmon. The shoreline includes two private beach clubs but no public boat access to Lake Washington; however, Lyon Creek Waterfront Preserve offers 100 feet of Lake Washington shoreline and a viewing dock that extends out into the lake.

Lake Forest Park places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. UW Medicine Primary Care offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Start your fitness journey at Planet Fitness with its extensive range of equipment and classes. For a more personalized workout, Reign Fitness offers specialized training programs. Anytime Fitness and Svetness Personal Training offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Enhance your wellness routine at Lakeview Yoga, which provides yoga and meditation classes to help reduce stress. If you need a therapeutic massage, visit Bothell Integrated Health. 

Top sites in Lake Forest WA include Pfingst Animal Acres Park, Grace Cole Nature Park, Horizon View Park, and Whispering Willow Park.

Population: 13,186 (2022). Elevation: 69 ft (21 m). Area: 4.15 sq mi (10.74 km²). ZIP Code: 98155. Area Code(s): 206.

FAQs

Is Lake Forest Park, WA a good place to live?

Lake Forest Park is in King County and is one of the best places to live in Washington. Living in Lake Forest Park offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Lake Forest Park there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families, young professionals, and retirees live in Lake Forest Park and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Lake Forest Park are highly rated.

What are the demographics of Lake Forest Park, Washington?

Lake Forest Park has a 2024 population of 12,806. Lake Forest Park is currently declining at a rate of -1.54% annually and its population has decreased by -5.88% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 13,606 in 2020. The average household income in Lake Forest Park is $178,355 with a poverty rate of 3.24%. The median age in Lake Forest Park is 42.6 years: 42.2 years for males, and 42.8 years for females. The racial composition of Lake Forest Park was White: 76.96%, Asian: 8.16%, Two or more races: 6.22%, Black or African American: 4.89%, Other race: 2.5%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.67%, and Native American: 0.59%.

What is the crime rate in Lake Forest Park, WA?

The crime rate in Lake Forest Park is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 21 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Lake Forest Park is 1 in 48. Based on FBI crime data, Lake Forest Park is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Washington, Lake Forest Park has a crime rate that is higher than 62% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

City of Lake Forest Park

Wikipedia

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

World Population Review

Pfingst Animal Acres Park

Grace Cole Nature Park

Horizon View Park

Whispering Willow Park

UW Medicine Primary Care

Planet Fitness

Reign Fitness

Anytime Fitness

Svetness Personal Training

LakeView Yoga

Bothell Integrated Health

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.