Lake Forest ZIP Codes — Lake County, IL

There is one unique ZIP code in Lake Forest, Illinois and it is 60045. Area code: 847/224.
1
ZIP codes
21.31
sq mi land
1.58
sq mi water
847/224
area code
Lake Forest, IL ZIP code map

About Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest, Illinois is a charming city located in Lake County, known for its picturesque landscapes and affluent residential areas. With a rich history and a focus on education and the arts, the city offers a unique blend of suburban living and cultural experiences. Its well-maintained parks and historic architecture make it an attractive destination for both residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Lake Forest is situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, providing residents with beautiful waterfront views. It is approximately 35 miles north of downtown Chicago, nestled between the bustling communities of Highland Park to the south and Libertyville to the west. The city covers a total area of 21.31 square miles, including 1.58 square miles of water, adding to its scenic charm.

Community & economy

Lake Forest is characterized by its strong sense of community and engagement among residents, featuring numerous events and activities throughout the year. The local economy is diverse, with a mix of industries including technology, healthcare, and retail that contribute to the city's prosperity. Daily life in Lake Forest is enhanced by its excellent schools, thriving arts scene, and access to outdoor recreational areas.

Transportation

Lake Forest is conveniently accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-94), connecting it to both Chicago and neighboring towns. The city is served by the Metra rail system, providing residents with easy transit options to downtown Chicago and other nearby suburbs. The nearest major airports are O'Hare International Airport and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, both located within an hour's drive.

History

Founded as a resort community in the late 19th century, Lake Forest quickly developed into a prominent residential area, attracting wealthy families from Chicago. Key industries have evolved over time, but the city has consistently maintained its reputation for quality education and a focus on the arts. Notable events in Lake Forest's history include the establishment of the Lake Forest College in 1857, which continues to be an influential educational institution in the area.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Lake Forest is that it was one of the first communities in the United States to implement zoning laws in 1927, which shaped its development for decades to come. Additionally, the city is home to a number of historical landmarks, including the iconic Market Square, one of the oldest shopping areas in the Chicago suburbs.

ZIP codes for Lake Forest, IL (1)
ZIP code City County Map
60045 Lake Forest Lake View map

Demographics & statistics

21,159
Population
45.2
Median age
$201,847
Median household income
$102,845
Per capita income
$880,200
Median home value
$1,998
Median monthly rent
87.4%
Home ownership
4.0%
Poverty rate
3.2%
Unemployment
7,085
Housing units
80.7%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
499
Under 5
528
530
5–9
561
640
10–14
677
863
15–19
912
876
20–24
926
852
25–34
900
855
35–44
904
1,361
45–54
1,439
776
55–59
821
563
60–64
595
1,269
65–74
1,341
849
75–84
898
352
85+
372
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 184,34820.5%
18 and over16,81179.5%
65 and over5,08124.0%
Median age45.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 82.6%
Asian 6.1%
Two or more races 4.9%
Hispanic or Latino 3.5%
Other race 1.4%
Black or African American 0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%
GroupCount%
White18,11482.6%
Asian1,3366.1%
Two or more races1,0734.9%
Hispanic or Latino7733.5%
Other race2981.4%
Black or African American2060.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native1320.6%

Household income

Under $10k 2.6%
$10k–$15k 0.5%
$15k–$25k 2.0%
$25k–$35k 3.4%
$35k–$50k 3.3%
$50k–$75k 8.0%
$75k–$100k 7.6%
$100k–$150k 12.0%
$150k–$200k 9.7%
$200k+ 50.9%
Range% of households
Under $10k2.6%
$10k–$15k0.5%
$15k–$25k2.0%
$25k–$35k3.4%
$35k–$50k3.3%
$50k–$75k8.0%
$75k–$100k7.6%
$100k–$150k12.0%
$150k–$200k9.7%
$200k+50.9%
Median income$201,847

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.5%
$50k–$100k 1.0%
$100k–$150k 0.5%
$150k–$200k 0.9%
$200k–$300k 1.8%
$300k–$500k 12.5%
$500k–$1M 45.8%
$1M+ 36.0%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$880,200
Median rent / month$1,998
Owner occupied87.4%
Renter occupied12.6%
Vacant5.8%
Single-family detached76.3%
Large apartment buildings13.2%
Mobile homes0.0%
Median rooms8.3
Avg household size (owned)2.70

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.3%
2010–20195.4%
2000–200910.8%
1990–199913.4%
1980–198914.8%
1970–197915.2%
1960–196913.5%
1950–195911.8%
1940–19492.1%
1939 or earlier12.7%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.5%
1 bedroom5.4%
2 bedrooms12.9%
3 bedrooms25.6%
4 bedrooms32.4%
5+ bedrooms23.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle4.3%
1 vehicle23.8%
2 vehicles47.8%
3 or more24.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas83.6%
Electricity15.6%
Propane / LP gas0.3%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family5,01666.2%
Cohabiting couple3404.5%
Male householder, no spouse5327.0%
Female householder, no spouse1,68522.3%
Households with children under 182,35331.1%
Households with seniors (65+)3,37044.5%
Average household size2.65

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married33.2%24.9%
Married61.3%55.6%
Separated0.4%0.2%
Widowed1.2%10.6%
Divorced3.8%8.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.6%
Some HS, no diploma 0.6%
HS graduate 4.9%
Some college, no degree 9.9%
Associate's degree 3.4%
Bachelor's degree 37.9%
Graduate / professional 42.8%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher98.9%
Bachelor's or higher80.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool5428.5%
Kindergarten2463.9%
Elementary school1,95330.8%
High school1,25719.8%
College / grad school2,35237.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Professional & management 23.6%
Education & healthcare 21.7%
Finance & real estate 12.0%
Manufacturing 10.6%
Retail trade 7.5%
Arts, food & hospitality 5.8%
Other services 5.0%
Public administration 3.6%
Wholesale trade 3.5%
Transportation & utilities 2.6%
Construction 2.4%
Information 1.7%
Agriculture & mining 0.1%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts66.5%
Service8.7%
Sales & office20.0%
Natural resources & construction0.7%
Production & transportation4.1%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector86.0%
Government8.4%
Self-employed5.5%
Unpaid family workers0.1%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone50.2%
Carpool2.5%
Public transit13.5%
Walk4.8%
Other means3.8%
Avg commute (minutes)33.8

Poverty

All people 4.0%
Under 18 years 3.4%
18 and over 4.1%
Married-couple families 2.1%
Female-led households 4.8%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security37.8%
Retirement income28.7%
Supplemental Security2.0%
Cash public assistance2.7%
Food stamps / SNAP1.4%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure29.7%
High cholesterol33.1%
Heart disease5.3%
Stroke2.2%
Asthma8.4%
Arthritis24.4%
Kidney disease2.4%
Pulmonary disease4.3%
Cancer8.0%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking13.1%
No physical activity15.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep25.5%
Fair or poor health8.1%
Poor mental health9.4%
Poor physical health6.6%
No health insurance5.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)79.1%
Visited dentist80.8%
Cholesterol screening93.9%
Teeth loss6.1%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans6233.7%
Disability%
Any disability10.4%
Under 182.3%
18–64 years8.1%
65 and over22.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance87.5%
Public insurance27.0%
Uninsured under 190.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only20,13295.1%
Spanish4152.1%
Other Indo-European650.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander1310.7%
Other languages2141.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)18,78588.8%
Born in same state18,55587.7%
Born in different state11,57254.7%
Foreign born2301.1%
Naturalized citizen2,37411.2%
Not a US citizen1,47962.3%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian3,70317.5%
French2,77513.1%
Arab6433%
Polish4362.1%
German3101.5%
AncestryCount%
English2711.3%
Dutch1460.7%
Norwegian820.4%
Irish670.3%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access35.8%
Internet access97.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Lake Forest, IL have?
Lake Forest, IL has one ZIP code: 60045. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
Need the complete Illinois ZIP code database? Download all IL ZIP codes — Excel, CSV, or Access. Includes lat/lng, county FIPS & timezone.
Download database →