Forest Lake
Downtown Forest Lake
Downtown Forest Lake
Nickname(s): 
FL, Flake
Motto: 
As Good As It Sounds
Location of the city of Forest Lakewithin Washington County, Minnesota
Location of the city of Forest Lake
within Washington County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 45°15′13″N 92°57′30″W / 45.25361°N 92.95833°W / 45.25361; -92.95833
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyWashington
FoundedMarch 11, 1874
Incorporated1896
Government
  TypeMayor–council government
  MayorMara Bain (I)[1][2]
Area
  Total35.53 sq mi (92.01 km2)
  Land30.54 sq mi (79.10 km2)
  Water4.99 sq mi (12.92 km2)
Elevation935 ft (285 m)
Population
  Total20,611
  Estimate 
(2022)[6]
20,857
  Density674.91/sq mi (260.58/km2)
Time zoneUTC–6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST)UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP code
55025
Area code651
FIPS code27-21770
GNIS feature ID2394789[4]
Sales tax8.375%[7]
Websiteci.forest-lake.mn.us

Forest Lake is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States, located 27 miles northeast of Saint Paul. The population was 20,611 at the 2020 census.[5]

History

Forest Lake began as a stop on the St. Paul and Duluth Railroad. The first train reached Forest Lake on December 23, 1868. The lake was so named for the abundant timber that lines its shores.[8] Forest Lake Township was organized on March 11, 1874. The first one-room school was built that year at the former location of city hall (220 N. Lake Street). The city of Forest Lake was incorporated on July 11, 1893 with 175 residents. In 2001, the city annexed the surrounding former Forest Lake Township.[9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.54 square miles (92.05 km2); 30.56 square miles (79.15 km2) is land and 4.98 square miles (12.90 km2) is water.[10]

Media

The first newspaper, The Enterprise, was printed in 1903. It was changed in 1907 to The Forest Lake Advertiser and later to The Forest Lake Times,[11] in 1916, as it remains to this day. The Forest Lake Lowdown is another local paper.[12]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
188046
1900241
1910540124.1%
192080048.1%
193091614.5%
19401,12022.3%
19501,76657.7%
19602,34732.9%
19703,20736.6%
19804,59643.3%
19905,83326.9%
20006,85617.5%
201018,375168.0%
202020,61112.2%
2022 (est.)20,857[6]1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
2020 Census[5]

Median household income for 2017 was $76,904. Average household income was $93,296. Per capita income was $35,334.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 18,375 people, 7,014 households, and 5,044 families residing in the city. The population density was 601.3 inhabitants per square mile (232.2/km2). There were 7,508 housing units at an average density of 245.7 per square mile (94.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.7% White, 1.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 7,014 households, of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.1% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 37.4 years. 26.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.1% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

Politics

Forest Lake is located in Minnesota's 6th congressional district.

Public schools

Forest Lake Area High School

The Forest Lake Area school system includes eight elementary sites, one middle school site, and one high school site.[15] There are also two independent districts, North Lakes Academy and Lakes International Language Academy.

Elementary schools (grades K–6)

Secondary schools (grades 6–12)

Notable people

Academics

Arts and entertainment, journalists, writers

Politics and public service

Newsmakers

Sports

References

  1. "MN Election Results". electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  2. "City Council | Forest Lake, MN". www.ci.forest-lake.mn.us. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  4. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Forest Lake, Minnesota
  5. 1 2 3 "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  6. 1 2 "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  7. "Forest Lake (MN) sales tax rate". Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  8. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 569.
  9. "Forest Lake - Washington County Historical Society". www.wchsmn.org. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  11. hometownsource.com. "Forest Lake Times". hometownsource.com. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  12. Publications, Press. "Forest Lake". Press Publications. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  13. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  14. "City Council - Forest Lake, MN". www.ci.forest-lake.mn.us. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  15. "Forest Lake Area Schools / Homepage". www.flaschools.org. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
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