FOREST LAKE, MN REALTOR · LOCAL GUIDE

LIVING IN FOREST LAKE

Forest Lake began as a railroad stop — the first train arrived on December 23, 1868 — and took its name from the timber that lined the lake’s shores. The city incorporated in 1893 with 175 residents, and in 2001 it annexed the surrounding Forest Lake Township, which is why the city covers about 35 square miles today and includes both an in-town core and rural land. The city motto is “As Good As It Sounds.”

The lake is the center of everything. Forest Lake covers roughly 2,270 acres in three basins with about 16 miles of shoreline and three public boat launches. Downtown, Lakeside Memorial Park on Broadway Avenue has a beach, boat dock, playground, picnic shelters and a gazebo, and it’s where the city’s fireworks go up during its multi-day Fourth of July celebration, hosted with American Legion Post 225, with a parade, carnival and live music. The Hardwood Creek Regional Trail runs north–south through all of Forest Lake and is the city’s main pedestrian route.

For recreation beyond the lake, there’s the Forest Lake Sports Center, Tanners Brook and Forest Hills golf clubs, and the Forest Lake Sportsman’s Club. Getting around is simple: I-35 runs along the west side of town, and Highway 97 connects I-35 to U.S. Highway 61. Forest Lake is about 27 miles from downtown St. Paul and 29 miles from downtown Minneapolis, with I-35E and I-35W splitting just southwest of the city in Columbus.

Housing reflects that mix of lake town and countryside — lakeshore homes, neighborhoods near downtown, and homes with more land in the former township areas. Whether you want to be on the water, walk to downtown or have room for a big garden and a pole barn, there’s usually a part of Forest Lake that fits, and I can help you narrow it down.

FOREST LAKE AT A GLANCE

Population: 20,611
Size: 35.5 sq mi
Incorporated: 1893
Schools: Forest Lake ISD 831
Lakes: Forest Lake (3 basins)
Commute: I-35 · Hwy 61 · Hwy 97
County: Washington
Summer festival: Fourth of July celebration
Drive to MSP Airport: about 50 minutes (34 miles), off-peak
Drive to Downtown Minneapolis: about 40 minutes (30 miles), off-peak
Drive to Downtown St. Paul: about 40 minutes (27 miles), off-peak

FOREST LAKE SCHOOLS

Forest Lake is served by the Forest Lake Area School System (ISD 831), which covers about 220 square miles across Forest Lake and all or part of Columbus, Hugo, Lino Lakes, Scandia, Wyoming and other nearby communities. The district has seven elementary sites, one middle school and one high school — Forest Lake Area High School.

The area also has two independent public charter options, North Lakes Academy and Lakes International Language Academy. I always confirm school assignments for a specific address.

What the percentages mean: the percentage beside each school below is the share of Forest Lake’s children of that school’s age who live in its attendance area — ages 5–10 for elementary, 11–13 for middle and 14–17 for high school (about 1,689, 931 and 1,253 children in the 2020 Census). District percentages use all children ages 5–17. It shows where the city’s kids are assigned; it is not a test score or a rating. Students per grade is each school’s 2025–26 enrollment divided by the number of grades it serves.

School districts serving Forest Lake: Forest Lake (ISD 831) — all of the city’s school-age children.

HOW FOREST LAKE’S SCHOOL DISTRICTS COMPARE STATEWIDE

Forest Lake (ISD 831): reading 50% and math 50% proficient on the 2025–26 state tests — test-score rank #115 of 326 Minnesota districts; 4-year graduation rate 85% (class of 2025), #255 of 317

Proficient = share of tested students who met or exceeded Minnesota’s grade-level standards (MCA, MTAS and Alternate MCA, all tested grades). Test-score rank = position among Minnesota school districts (charter schools not included) by the average of reading and math proficiency; school ranks compare each school with all Minnesota public schools at the same level. Ranks are calculated by Minnesota Chuck from Minnesota Department of Education data and are not an official state rating.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS SERVING FOREST LAKE

Forest View Elementary: Forest Lake (ISD 831) — about 64% of Forest Lake’s children that age; grades K–5, about 82 students per grade; reading 36%, math 33% proficient (2025–26), #687 of 893 Minnesota elementary schools
Lino Lakes Elementary: Forest Lake (ISD 831) — about 15% of Forest Lake’s children that age; grades K–5, about 62 students per grade; reading 54%, math 47% proficient (2025–26), #401 of 893 Minnesota elementary schools
Columbus Elementary: Forest Lake (ISD 831) — about 13% of Forest Lake’s children that age; grades K–5, about 66 students per grade; reading 56%, math 68% proficient (2025–26), #197 of 893 Minnesota elementary schools
Scandia Elementary: Forest Lake (ISD 831) — about 8% of Forest Lake’s children that age; grades K–5, about 44 students per grade; reading 61%, math 67% proficient (2025–26), #168 of 893 Minnesota elementary schools

MIDDLE SCHOOLS SERVING FOREST LAKE

Forest Lake Middle School: Forest Lake (ISD 831) — all of Forest Lake’s children that age; grades 6–8, about 438 students per grade; reading 52%, math 50% proficient (2025–26), #80 of 264 Minnesota middle schools

HIGH SCHOOLS SERVING FOREST LAKE

Forest Lake High School: Forest Lake (ISD 831) — all of Forest Lake’s children that age; grades 9–12, about 460 students per grade; reading 42%, math 41% proficient (2025–26), #153 of 435 Minnesota high schools; 4-year graduation 89%

Sources: Minnesota Department of Education, School Attendance Areas, SY2025-26; Minnesota Department of Education 2025–26 assessment results and graduation rates (Minnesota Report Card); U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census (children by age, by census block); Minnesota Department of Education 2025–26 enrollment. Boundaries can change, so confirm the assigned school with the district for a specific address.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What school district is Forest Lake, MN in?

Forest Lake is in the Forest Lake Area School System (ISD 831). The district has seven elementary sites, one middle school and Forest Lake Area High School. North Lakes Academy and Lakes International Language Academy are independent public options in the area.

What county is Forest Lake in?

Forest Lake is in Washington County, at the north end of the county. In 2001 the city annexed the former Forest Lake Township, so it covers about 35 square miles today, from the lakeshore and historic downtown out to more rural land. It borders Columbus, Wyoming, Scandia and Hugo.

How far is Forest Lake from Minneapolis, St. Paul and MSP Airport?

Driving from the center of Forest Lake at off-peak times, downtown Minneapolis is about 30 miles (roughly 40 minutes), downtown St. Paul is about 27 miles (roughly 40 minutes) and MSP Airport is about 34 miles (roughly 50 minutes). Rush-hour traffic adds time, and drives vary with which part of Forest Lake you start from.

What is there to do in Forest Lake?

The lake itself is the main attraction, with about 16 miles of shoreline and three public boat launches. Lakeside Memorial Park downtown has a beach and boat dock, the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail runs through the city, and the city hosts a multi-day Fourth of July celebration with a parade, carnival and fireworks.

Is Forest Lake a good place to buy a home?

Forest Lake offers a big recreational lake, a historic downtown, a regional trail and direct I-35 access, with everything from lakeshore homes to properties with more land in the former township. I can help you compare those options and price a home with confidence.

NEARBY CITIES I SERVE

Columbus · Wyoming · Scandia · Hugo · Lino Lakes · Stacy · Marine on St. Croix · Chisago City · Ham Lake · Centerville

Thinking about buying or selling in Forest Lake? Use the form at the top of this page, or call or text me at 763-218-2573. — Chuck Glasser, Realtor®, RE/MAX Results