Forest Lake, Minnesota
Forest Lake Real Estate
Homes for sale, local facts and advice for buying or selling in Forest Lake, Washington County, from Huerkamp Home Group.
Key takeaways
What should you know about Forest Lake at a glance?
Forest Lake is a north metro city in Washington County, home to 20,700 people. Here's what the public numbers say.
- Population: 20,700 (Census 2024 estimate; +0.4% since 2020)
- Median home value: $393,500, 7% lower than the Washington County median (owner estimates, Census ACS)
- Median household income: $92,944, 19% lower than Washington County
- Homeownership: 72.9% of households own their home (Minnesota: 72.2%)
- Getting around: about 42 minutes to downtown Minneapolis and 51 minutes to MSP Airport in light traffic
- Schools: Forest Lake Public School District covers about 100% of the city
Sources: US Census Bureau 2024 population estimates and 2020–2024 American Community Survey; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing.
For sale now
Where can I find Forest Lake homes for sale?
The newest Forest Lake listings, live from the NorthstarMLS. Open any home for photos, maps and saved-search alerts.
Open Sat, Nov 7 · 6–8 PM$449,90019813 English Avenue N, Forest Lake, MN 55025MLS #7168208
Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Integrity Realty
$400,000719 W Broadway Avenue, Forest Lake, MN 55025MLS #7149948Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Synergy
$529,90020445 Everton Trail Court N, Forest Lake, MN 55025MLS #7166417Listing courtesy of Realty Executives Top Results
$449,90019797 Ely Avenue N, Forest Lake, MN 55025MLS #7167262Listing courtesy of Capstone Realty, LLC
Open Tue, Nov 3 · 9:30–11:30 PM$250,00020661 Fenston Avenue N, Forest Lake, MN 55025MLS #7167192Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty
$319,9906203 205th Street N, Forest Lake, MN 55025MLS #7165791Listing courtesy of Lennar Sales Corp
See all 93 Forest Lake homes for sale
- Under $200,000 11
- Under $250,000 15
- Under $300,000 17
- Under $350,000 26
- Under $400,000 40
- Under $450,000 48
- Under $500,000 62
- Under $600,000 77
- Under $700,000 79
- Under $800,000 85
- Under $1 million 89
- Under $1.5 million 90
- Under $2 million 91
- $1 million and up 4
- Single-family homes 52
- Condos 23
- Land and lots 18
- 3+ bedrooms 60
- 4+ bedrooms 33
- 5+ bedrooms 12
- New construction 11
- Lakefront 10
- 1+ acre 14
Keller Williams Preferred Realty is not a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), nor does it offer MLS access. This website is a service of Keller Williams Preferred Realty, a broker Participant of the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc. Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed.
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity℠ Program of the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Keller Williams Preferred Realty are marked with the Broker Reciprocity℠ logo or the Broker Reciprocity℠ thumbnail logo (little black house) and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.
Keller Williams Preferred Realty participates in Regional MLS’s Broker Reciprocity℠ program, allowing us to display other brokers’ listings on our site. However, Keller Williams Preferred Realty displays only listings located in the Minnesota communities covered on this website. Some properties which appear for sale on this web site may subsequently have sold and may no longer be available. Listing data last updated November 3, 2026 at 7:28 PM (Central). Use of listing data is subject to the license agreement. Open House information is subject to change without warning.
Listings from NorthstarMLS, updated every hour from 8 AM to 10 PM.
Recently sold
What did homes in Forest Lake sell for?
Homes sold in Forest Lake in the last 6 months, from NorthstarMLS.
See every Forest Lake sale on the map
This home sale information is not an appraisal, competitive or comparative market analysis, CMA or home valuation.
Keller Williams Preferred Realty is not a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), nor does it offer MLS access. This website is a service of Keller Williams Preferred Realty, a broker Participant of the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc. Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed.
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity℠ Program of the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Keller Williams Preferred Realty are marked with the Broker Reciprocity℠ logo or the Broker Reciprocity℠ thumbnail logo (little black house) and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.
Keller Williams Preferred Realty participates in Regional MLS’s Broker Reciprocity℠ program, allowing us to display other brokers’ listings on our site. However, Keller Williams Preferred Realty displays only listings located in the Minnesota communities covered on this website. Some properties which appear for sale on this web site may subsequently have sold and may no longer be available. Use of listing data is subject to the license agreement. Open House information is subject to change without warning.
Stay ahead of the market
How can you get new Forest Lake listings first?
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Housing market · September 2026
Forest Lake home prices and sales
Over the 12 months through September 2026, the median sale price in Forest Lake was $429,900, up 5.5% from the year before, with 301 homes sold.
- Median sale price$429,900+5.5% vs. prior 12 months
- Homes sold301past 12 months
- Days on market57past 12 months
- Months of supply3.4end of September 2026
NorthstarMLS data via the Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update, current as of October 7, 2026. Full Forest Lake market report
Living in
What's it like living in Forest Lake, MN?
The answer
Forest Lake is a north metro city, and it's about 42 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and 40 minutes from downtown Saint Paul in light traffic. 73.4% of its homes are single-family houses, the typical home was built around 1988, and 72.9% of households own their home.
Demographics · Forest Lake, MN
Who lives in Forest Lake?
According to the Census Bureau, Forest Lake's median household income is $92,944, 19% lower than the Washington County median (Washington County: $115,345). The median age is 39.6, 72.9% of households own their home and 35.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates; population from 2024 estimates. Home values are owner estimates; values shown with “+” are the Census reporting cap.
Population trend
How fast is Forest Lake growing?
Forest Lake's population held steady 0.4% between 2020 and 2024, from 20,612 to 20,700 residents, according to Census Bureau estimates.
US Census Bureau Vintage 2024 population estimates.
Show as a table
| Year | Residents |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 20,702 |
| 2021 | 20,646 |
| 2022 | 20,897 |
| 2023 | 20,723 |
| 2024 | 20,700 |
School planning
Which schools serve a Forest Lake address?
- Forest Lake Public School Districtabout 100% of the city
Ask the district for the school assignment of the exact address for the year you'll enroll, since boundaries can change. Being near a school doesn't guarantee a spot, and charter and private schools set their own rules.
Minnesota Report Card (Department of Education)
District coverage: US Census Bureau 2024 school district boundaries.
Crime data
How can you check reported crime near a home?
Ask the police department that serves the address for its current reports, and compare places only across the same time period and offense definitions. Missing data doesn't mean zero crime, and a citywide number doesn't describe a particular street.
By ZIP code
What does Forest Lake look like by ZIP code?
ZIP 55025 covers most of Forest Lake.
| ZIP | Share of city | Median home value | Median household income | Homeowners | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55025 | 97% | $405,000 | $98,382 | 75.2% | Homes for sale |
ZIP code areas (ZCTAs) covering at least 5% of the city; values for the whole ZIP area, Census ACS 2020–2024.
Outdoor living
What lakes and water are in Forest Lake?
Forest Lake has about 5 square miles of water inside city limits. 9 lakes of 10 acres or more touch Forest Lake; each has its own page with the lakefront homes for sale on it.
- Forest Lake2,271 acres
- Clear Lake429 acres
- Mud Lake179 acres
- Keewahtin Lake92 acres
- Higgins Lake84 acres
- Shields Lake30 acres
- Cranberry Lake20 acres
- Clear Lake16 acres
- Twin Lake13 acres
Commute & transportation
How easy is getting around Forest Lake?
Forest Lake residents' average one-way commute is 24.2 minutes (Census ACS). 72.2% drive alone, 0.2% take public transit and 17.7% work from home.
Drive times from Forest Lake
- 42 minDowntown Minneapolis
- 40 minDowntown Saint Paul
- 51 minMSP Airport
- 55 minMall of America
- 39 minUniversity of Minnesota
Drive times: OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data from the city's Census center point, light traffic. Rush hour takes longer.
Economy & jobs
Where do Forest Lake residents work?
The largest share of employed Forest Lake residents work in education, health care and social assistance (22.9%), followed by retail trade (12%). The unemployment rate averaged 4.3% over 2020–2024 (Minnesota: 4.1%).
Census ACS 2020–2024, industry of employed residents 16 and older (C24050) and employment status (B23025).
- Education, health care and social assistance22.9%
- Retail trade12%
- Professional, scientific and management services11.6%
- Manufacturing10.2%
- Construction9.6%
- Finance, insurance and real estate9.4%
City comparison
How does Forest Lake compare to Scandia, Columbus and Centerville?
The three communities with the shortest drive from Forest Lake, side by side.
| Metric | Forest Lake | Scandia | Columbus | Centerville |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 20,700 | 3,951 | 4,307 | 3,956 |
| Change since 2020 | +0.4% | -0.9% | +3.7% | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $394K | $476K | $460K | $377K |
| Median household income | $93K | $102K | $123K | $123K |
| Median gross rent | $1,421 | — | $1,653 | $1,398 |
| Homeowners | 72.9% | 88.7% | 88.7% | 89.2% |
| Median age | 39.6 | 46 | 44.9 | 40.5 |
| Average commute | 24.2 min | 33 min | 28.8 min | 25.9 min |
| Drive to downtown Minneapolis | 42 min | 50 min | 41 min | 36 min |
Census 2024 estimates and ACS 2020–2024; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing.
Cost of ownership
What will a Forest Lake home cost you each month?
Enter the numbers for a specific home. The price starts at Forest Lake's Census median home value; the interest rate, property tax and insurance are yours to fill in from a lender quote, the county's tax statement and an insurance quote. This is an illustration, not a loan estimate.
Selling in Forest Lake
What's required to sell a home in Forest Lake?
We haven't confirmed a city pre-sale inspection for Forest Lake; check with the city before you list. Every Minnesota sale still includes the state disclosures: property condition, wells, septic systems, radon, lead paint for older homes and more.
Selling in Minnesota: every city's rules and the state disclosures · Estimate your net proceeds
Is Forest Lake right for you?
Who should buy a home in Forest Lake?
- Compare homes, not averages. Choose the space, layout and condition you need, and confirm it with an inspection.
- Try the drive. Test your commute at the times you'd actually travel.
- Check the schools for the address. Forest Lake Public School District covers most of the city, but not all of it.
- Budget the whole payment. Include taxes, insurance, association dues and upkeep.
Planning a move
What should I verify before moving to Forest Lake?
- The property's current tax statement and homestead status from Washington County.
- Lender, insurance and utility quotes for the exact address, plus any association documents and special assessments.
- The seller's disclosures, including Minnesota's required radon and well disclosures.
- Whether the city requires a point-of-sale inspection or certificate (Minneapolis and Saint Paul, for example, require Truth-in-Sale-of-Housing reports).
- The school assignment for your enrollment year, confirmed with the district.
This weekend's open houses
Can you tour Forest Lake homes this weekend?
Found a Forest Lake home you like? We'll set up a private showing, usually within a day or two, or tell you when it has an open house.
Forest Lake FAQ
What do Forest Lake buyers most often ask?
What is the median home value in Forest Lake?
The Census Bureau's 2020–2024 American Community Survey puts the median value of owner-occupied homes in Forest Lake at $393,500, 7% lower than the Washington County median (Washington County: $422,000). These are owner estimates; for current asking prices, see the Forest Lake homes for sale in our home search.
How many people live in Forest Lake, MN?
About 20,700 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2024 estimate. The city held steady by 0.4% between 2020 and 2024.
Which school district serves Forest Lake?
Forest Lake Public School District (about 100% of the city). School assignment depends on the exact address, so confirm it with the district before you buy.
How far is Forest Lake from downtown Minneapolis?
About 42 minutes by car in light traffic, and about 40 minutes to downtown Saint Paul. Residents' average one-way commute is 24.2 minutes (Census ACS).
Is Forest Lake a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. Forest Lake has a median household income of $92,944, 72.9% homeownership and a 24.2-minute average commute. Visit at the times you'd normally drive, check the school assignment for the address, and compare total ownership costs before you decide.
What does it cost to rent in Forest Lake?
The median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,421 a month, compared with $1,710 in Washington County (Census ACS 2020–2024).
What ZIP codes are in Forest Lake?
55025 covers most of the city. ZIP code areas and city limits don't match exactly, so check the city on the property record.
What lakes are in Forest Lake?
The largest named lakes inside the city are Forest Lake (about 2,249 acres), Clear Lake (about 428 acres), Mud Lake (about 83 acres) and Keewahtin Lake (about 63 acres), based on Census water maps.
How long does it take to close on a home in Forest Lake?
Most financed purchases close about 30 to 45 days after an accepted offer, and cash purchases can close sooner. Your lender, the appraisal and the title company set the actual timeline.
Does Forest Lake require an inspection to sell a home?
We haven't confirmed a city inspection requirement for Forest Lake. Every Minnesota seller still owes the state disclosures (property condition, wells, septic, radon and more), and some counties require a septic inspection. Check with the city before you list.
Why Huerkamp Home Group
Why work with Huerkamp Home Group?
Ready to make a move?
Want to talk to a Forest Lake real estate expert?
Tell us your area, budget, timing and must-haves. We'll share current listings and recent sales, and explain how we'd represent you before you decide anything.
Explore nearby communities
Which communities are close to Forest Lake?
Drive times from Forest Lake in light traffic, with each community's Census median home value.