Crime
This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.
Employment
This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Schools
A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.
Ratings
Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.
Amenities
It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Cost Of Living
Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.
Health & Safety
Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.
Lake Forest is a medium-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 19,497 inhabitants. The majority of Lake Forest residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Lake Forest offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 36 minutes.
Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Lake Forest, Illinois could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, commute, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Lake Forest and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Lake Forest to Illinois and the national average.
The livability score in Lake Forest is 67/100 and the city is ranked in the 68th percentile of all cities across America. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Lake Forest ranks very well for crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (B-). There are some categories that Lake Forest ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Lake Forest, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 16 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.
The unemployment rate in Lake Forest has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.77%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.
Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Lake Forest, the average school test scores are an impressive 66%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Lake Forest excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Lake Forest is actually affordable. The median home price for Lake Forest homes is $818,000, which is 368% higher than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Lake Forest, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 43.3% higher than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Lake Forest | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 36min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 57.3% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 2.4% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 14.8% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.7% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 17.9% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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