$459,513Average Value$223Average Price per Sq Ft69Homes For Sale
Active community on the shores of Forest Lake
Named after the expansive 2,300-acre body of water at the heart of this community, Forest Lake offers residents an established small-town feel with a water-oriented lifestyle in northwestern Washington County. Many move to Forest Lake for the lake, the area's B-rated school district and its ongoing new development. “It’s a fantastic community with a strong sense of small-town camaraderie. It also has many benefits of a larger community,” says Bob Muske, broker at Re/Max Synergy. “We have amazing lakes, parks and golf courses, making it a popular destination for active families.” Forest Lake's first residents were the Ojibwe and Dakota people, who lived off the land. Later, in the 1860s, with the expansion of the railroad, Forest Lake became a known stop between St. Paul and Duluth. And while initially a summer vacation spot, once U.S. Interstate 35 was completed, the city transitioned once again into a year-round residential township. Today, Forest Lake is home to more than 20,000 residents and its top employers include the Forest Lake Public School District, which provides the local economy with over 1,000 jobs. For those who commute, Minneapolis and Saint Paul are both less than a 30-mile drive away along Interstate-35. Community staples like the seasonal farmers market and the annual Fourth of July Celebration play a role in maintaining a know-your-neighbor vibe within the city.
Forest Lake's namesake body of water is more than 2,300 acres.
I-35 is what transitioned Forest Lake from a vacation spot to a thriving city.
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Growing market with waterfront estates
Homes in Forest Lake are popular for their proximity to the lake and for their area's wide price range. “It’s an evolving market with high growth expectations over the next five years,” says Muske, who has over 29 years of experience in Forest Lake and expertise in waterfront homes and development properties. The median sales price here is around $380,000, which is less than the median property in the U.S. However, price points vary greatly depending on the size and location of the property. For example, a two-bedroom twin style home may cost somewhere in the low $200,000s, while an expansive multi-acre estate with lakefront views and a private dock can reach upwards of $2 million. "We are currently seeing many builders and developers looking to invest in the community to take advantage of this growth,” adds Muske. While much of the housing stock downtown and around the lakes was constructed in the late 1990s, new builds are becoming more common on the southside beginning in the low $400,000s.
Homes on the shore of Forest Lake are highly sought after.
Newly built homes can be found on the south side of Forest Lake.
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Bike paths, beaches and lakefront views
Forest Lake is home to 23 parks and 12 miles of paved bike paths. Spanning 3 acres, Lakeside Park is the primary gathering space for residents, and offers beach access, a boat dock and views of Forest Lake. Tower Park is another nearby option, with two outdoor ice rinks and access to the paved Hardwood Creek Regional Trail — which runs the vertical length of the city along U.S. Route 61. Forest Lake experiences all four seasons, with hot summers and freezing winters averaging 54 inches of snowfall per year. The City of Forest Lake maintains outdoor ice rinks at two parks complete with warming houses during the coldest months. The public Tanners Brook Golf Course is located on Forest Lake's southside and is a PGA regulated 18-hole course with indoor golf simulators for year-round play.
Lake Side Park in Isanti Northern Suburbs.
Tower Park is the place for outdoor hockey in Forest Lake.
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The annual Fourth of July Celebration
In July, residents can attend the annual Fourth of July Celebration at Lakeside Park. This four-day festival is hosted by the Forest Lake American Legion Post 225. Visitors can enjoy live music performances, a parade and a fireworks display on July fourth. Festivities like bingo, karaoke and carnival rides area a part of this event. “It’s rumored to be the largest Fourth of July parade celebration in Minnesota,” says Muske. “It’s an amazing time of year to visit downtown and take in all the festivities.” It’s highly anticipated and has been a staple within the city for over a century.
Name-brand grocers and local bites downtown
Most residents do their shopping on the west side along Broadway Avenue. There’s also a selection of name-brand grocery stores here, like Walmart, Cub Foods and Aldi. Big-box retailers, like Target, Home Depot and Menards are also available. For fresh produce, the Forest Lake Farmers Market is held at Lakeside Park and takes place seasonally on Tuesdays from June through August. Locally owned shops like Mainstream Boutique and Sweet Liberty offer a curated selection of home goods and clothing options; and dining options range from fast-food chains to family-owned eateries in downtown Forest Lake. The Forest Lake City Council began a redevelopment project in 2022 with plans to expand the downtown area to attract new businesses, investors and to make it more pedestrian friendly. The timeline is expected to extend into 2025 with redesigns of the Forest Lake shoreline.
Aldi is a popular grocery option in Forest Lake.
Mainstream Boutique is a fasionable clothing store along hwy 61.
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High-marks at Forest Lake Public Schools
Families in Forest Lake are zoned for Forest Lake Public Schools, which earns an overall B rating from the review site, Niche. It serves over 5,000 students and is ranked among the top 50 athletic programs out of 352 districts in Minnesota. There are seven elementary schools, one middle and one high school. Most students attend Forest Lake Area High School, which also earns a B from Niche and offers nine AP courses for higher education preparation. Private options like St. Peter Catholic School are also available.
Welcome to St. Peter Catholic School, a foundation of faith and academic excellence.
Forest Lake Area High School has a large stadium.
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Nearby healthcare and access to U.S. I-35
Route 61 runs north to south through the city, offering access to U.S. Interstate 35 for traveling into the Twin Cities. Public rides are provided by the Metro Transit bus or the Jefferson Lines charter bus, which both operate from the Headwaters Transit Center along Route 61. When traveling farther, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is 30 miles away. For healthcare, the M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center is 4 miles north of the community.
Crime
According to FBI data, Forest Lake experiences lower violent crime rates than most cities in the United States in general. In 2023, the Forest Lake Police Department reported significantly less incidents than the national average.
Written By
Christian Slater
Photography Contributed By
Tyler McNair
Video By
Conar McDaniel
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Alena Behr,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Forest Lake, MN sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Forest Lake, MN over the last 12 months is $429,900, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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