Crime
The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.
Employment
This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Schools
The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Forest Lake is a mid-sized city located in the state of Minnesota. The city has a population of 21,199 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Forest Lake is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Forest Lake is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 28 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Forest Lake could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Minnesota if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Forest Lake and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, health & safety, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Minnesota and national averages.
Forest Lake has a livability score of 75/100 and is ranked #176 in Minnesota and #3,932 in the USA. Compared to the United States average, Forest Lake ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Forest Lake has higher than average scores for the following: crime (A-), education (A+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). Forest Lake does not do well for the following: amenities (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 121 crimes per 100,000 residents, Forest Lake has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Forest Lake can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Assuming that Forest Lake meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Forest Lake. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Forest Lake are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Forest Lake come in at $519,243, which is 53.1% higher than the Minnesota average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Forest Lake, the home price to income ratio is 4.2, which is 13.5% higher than the Minnesota average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Forest Lake | Minnesota | National |
| Average one way commute | 28min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 83.7% | 78.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.0% | 8.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.9% | 3.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.7% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.7% | 5.3% | 4.6% |
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