Forest Lake, Minnesota
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Forest Lake is a city in Washington County,
Minnesota Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...
, United States, located 27 miles northeast of
Saint Paul Paul, also named Saul of Tarsus, commonly known as Paul the Apostle and Saint Paul, was a Christian apostle ( AD) who spread the teachings of Jesus in the first-century world. For his contributions towards the New Testament, he is generally ...
. The population was 20,611 at the 2020 census.


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. 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.


Geography

According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the city has a total area of ; is land and is water.


Demographics

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 Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...
was . There were 7,508 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.7%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 1.1%
African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 0.4% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.1%
Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...
, 0.6% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races.
Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
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 Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
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 8th congressional district. *
Mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...
: Blake Roberts *
Council A council is a group of people who come together to consult, deliberate, or make decisions. A council may function as a legislature, especially at a town, city or county/shire level, but most legislative bodies at the state/provincial or natio ...
: Hanna Valento, Leif Erickson, Jeff Larson, Kevin Miller *
City Administrator A city is a human settlement of a substantial size. The term "city" has different meanings around the world and in some places the settlement can be very small. Even where the term is limited to larger settlements, there is no universally agree ...
: Mark Statz *
State Senator A state senator is a member of a State legislature (United States), state's senate in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature. History There are typically fewer state senators than there ...
: Karin Housley *
State Representative A state legislature is a legislative branch or body of a political subdivision in a federal system. Two federations literally use the term "state legislature": * The legislative branches of each of the fifty state governments of the United St ...
:
Patricia Anderson Patricia "Patti" Anderson (born June 4, 1966) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2023. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Anderson represents district 33A in the northeastern Twin Cities ...
and Josiah Hill


Public schools

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


Elementary schools (grades K–6)

* Columbus (K–6) * Forest Lake (4–6) * Forest View (K–3) * Lakes International Language Academy (K–5) * Lino Lakes (K–6 STEM) * Linwood (K–6) * North Lakes Academy (K–5) * St. Peter Catholic School (preschool–8) * Scandia (K–6) * Wyoming (preschool–6)


Secondary schools (grades 6–12)

*
Forest Lake Area High School Forest Lake Area High School, also known as Forest Lake High School, is a public four-year high school in Forest Lake, Minnesota, United States, founded in 1909. The school is a member of Minnesota Independent School District 831 (Forest Lake Are ...
(grades 9–12) * Forest Lake Area Middle School (grades 7–8) * North Lakes Academy (grades 6–12) * Lakes International Language Academy (grades 6–12) * St. Peter Catholic School (grades 7–8)


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'', in 1916, as it remains to this day. The ''Lowdown'' is another local paper.


Notable people


Arts and entertainment, journalists, writers

*
Dan Andersson Daniel Andersson (6 April 1888 – 16 September 1920)Dan Andersson
''britannica.com'', 201 ...
, Swedish author, poet and composer, lived in Forest Lake from 1901 to 1903. * John Caddy, poet and naturalist is a resident of Forest Lake. *
Douglas Harper Douglas A. Harper (born 1948) is an American sociologist and photographer. He is the holder of the Rev. Joseph A. Lauritis, C.S.Sp. Endowed Chair in Teaching with Technology at Duquesne University, a chair funded by a grant from the Mellon Fou ...
, sociologist, author, photographer, is a resident of Forest Lake. *
Rich Matteson Rich A. Matteson, (born Richmond Albert Matteson, January 12, 1929, Forest Lake, Minnesota – June 24, 1993, Jacksonville, Florida) was an American jazz artist and collegiate music educator who specialized in the euphonium. He played the tuba in ...
, jazz artist, educator, was born in Forest Lake. * H. Keith Melton, author/collector, is a resident of Forest Lake. *
Carol Muske-Dukes Carol Muske-Dukes (born 1945 in Saint Paul, Minnesota) is an American poet, novelist, essayist, critic, and professor, and the former poet laureate of California (2008–2011). Her most recent book of poetry, ''Sparrow'' (Random House, 2003), chr ...
, poet and novelist, grew up in Forest Lake. * Terry Redlin, popular American artist, lived in Forest Lake in the 1960s. * Anni Rossi, singer, violist and keyboardist and recording artist *
Christopher Sieber Christopher Luverne Sieber (born February 18, 1969) is an American actor. Known primarily for his extensive roles on stage in musicals, he has received nominations for two Tony Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, and two Outer Critics Circle Awards ...
, two-time Tony Award nominated actor * Jordis Unga,rock singer, songwriter and performer.


Politics and public service

* Elmer L. Andersen, 30th governor of Minnesota, was a resident of Forest Lake. *
James B. Bullard James Brian Bullard (born February 28, 1961) is the former chief executive officer and 12th president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, a position he held from 2008 until August 14, 2023. In July 2023, he was named dean of the Mitchell ...
, chief executive officer and president of the
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis is one of 12 Federal Reserve System, regional Reserve Banks that, along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up the United States' central bank. Missouri is the only state to have two main ...
*
Arne Carlson Arne Helge Carlson (born September 24, 1934) is an American politician who served from 1991 to 1999 as the 37th governor of Minnesota. Carlson is considered a liberal Republican. Before his governorship, he served as the Minnesota State Audito ...
, former Governor of Minnesota, is a former resident of Forest Lake. *
Pete Hegseth Peter Brian Hegseth (born June 6, 1980) is an American author, former television presenter, and former Army National Guard officer who has served as the 29th United States secretary of defense since 2025. Hegseth studied politics at Princeton ...
,
United States Secretary of Defense The United States secretary of defense (acronym: SecDef) is the head of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), the United States federal executive departments, executive department of the United States Armed Forces, U.S. Armed Forces, a ...
, raised in Forest Lake. *
Melvin Starkey Henderson Melvin Starkey Henderson (1883–1954) was an American orthopedic surgeon, who was born in St. Paul, Minnesota (USA). Biography Upon his mother's death, he went to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to live with relatives, the family of Eliza Starkey, his survi ...
, famed orthopedic surgeon, raised in Forest Lake. *
William Rush Merriam William Rush Merriam (July 26, 1849February 18, 1931) was an American politician and banker. A Republican Party (United States), Republican, he served as the eleventh Governor of Minnesota from 1889 to 1893. Life and career Merriam was born i ...
, served as Governor of Minnesota from 1889 to 1893. *
Walter Mondale Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale (January 5, 1928April 19, 2021) was the 42nd vice president of the United States serving from 1977 to 1981 under President Jimmy Carter. He previously served as a U.S. senator from Minnesota from 1964 to 1976. ...
, former vice president of the United States, was a former resident of Forest Lake. *
Doug Swenson Douglas G. Swenson (August 16, 1945 – February 1, 2009) was an American politician, lawyer, and judge. He served in the Minnesota House of Representatives as a Republican and later as a Minnesota district court judge. Early life and educatio ...
, Minnesota state representative, lawyer, and judge


Newsmakers

* T. Eugene Thompson, attorney, summer resident who hired a hit man to kill his wife in St. Paul in 1963. *
Bugs Moran George Clarence "Bugs" Moran (; born Adelard Leo Cunin; August 21, 1893 – February 25, 1957) was an American Chicago Prohibition-era gangster. He was incarcerated three times before his 21st birthday. Seven members of his gang were gunned ...
, Chicago
Prohibition Prohibition is the act or practice of forbidding something by law; more particularly the term refers to the banning of the manufacture, storage (whether in barrels or in bottles), transportation, sale, possession, and consumption of alcoholic b ...
-era gangster, lived in Forest Lake in the early 1930s.


Sports

*
Rick Bayless Rick Bayless (born November 23, 1953) is an American chef and restaurateur who specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine with modern interpretations. He is widely known for his PBS series '' Mexico: One Plate at a Time''. Among his various acc ...
, 1986 All-Big 10 and
Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. The Vikings compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. Founded in 1960 as ...
running back * Brandon Girtz,
mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...
, born and raised in Forest Lake *
Bud Grant Harry Peter "Bud" Grant Jr. (May 20, 1927 – March 11, 2023) was an American professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). Grant was head coach of the NFL's Minnesota Viki ...
, Hall of Fame coach
National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
and
Canadian Football League The Canadian Football League (CFL; , LCF) is a Professional gridiron football, professional Canadian football league in Canada. It comprises nine teams divided into two divisions, with four teams in the East Division (CFL), East Division and f ...
lived in Forest Lake in the 1950s *
Nora Greenwald Nora Kristina Greenwald (born September 7, 1977) is an American retired professional wrestling, professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, under the ring name Molly Holly, as a producer. She is also known for her tenure in World Championship Wr ...
(aka Molly Holly), former WWE world champion pro wrestler *
Adam Haayer Adam John Haayer (born February 22, 1977) is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL draft. He played college football at Minne ...
,
National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
player, graduate of
Forest Lake Area High School Forest Lake Area High School, also known as Forest Lake High School, is a public four-year high school in Forest Lake, Minnesota, United States, founded in 1909. The school is a member of Minnesota Independent School District 831 (Forest Lake Are ...
*
Hal Haskins Harold F. "Sleepy Hal" Haskins (October 29, 1924 – May 31, 2003) was an American professional basketball player and coach. He was an All-American player for the Hamline Pipers who led the team to the 1949 NAIA National Championship. Haskins p ...
, professional basketball player, lived in Forest Lake *
Wilfred T. Houle Wilfred Theodore "Bill" Houle (July 14, 1901 – December 26, 1974) was an American football player and coach of football, basketball, and baseball. He played for one season, in 1924, for the Minneapolis Marines of the National Football League (N ...
, former
National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
player with the
Minneapolis Marines The Minneapolis Marines were an early professional American football, football team that existed from 1905 until 1928. The team did not play in 1918 or 1925 to 1926 and was later resurrected from 1929 to 1930 under the Minneapolis Red Jackets nam ...
*
Dave Menne David Jeremy Menne (born July 29, 1974) is an American retired mixed martial artist. He was the first ever UFC Middleweight Champion and has also competed for Cage Rage, Bellator, Shooto, ADCC and RINGS. Background Menne was born in Minnea ...
, former
Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...
middleweight champion * Dick Nesbitt,
National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
former
Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They are one of two remaining ...
running back, was a former resident *
Leif Nordgren Leif Nordgren (born May 18, 1989 in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is an American biathlete. Living in Minnesota and introduced to biathlon by his elder sister Sonne at age 14, he started competing seriously at age 17. He placed in the top ten in al ...
, two-time
Winter Olympic Games The Winter Olympic Games (), also known as the Winter Olympics, is a major international multi-sport event held once every four years for sports practiced on snow and ice. The first Winter Olympic Games, the 1924 Winter Olympics, were held in ...
biathlon competitor * Bud Nygren, professional football player and college coach * Arron Oberholser, professional
PGA Tour The PGA Tour (stylized as PGA TOUR by its officials) is the organizer of professional golf tours in North America. It organizes most of the events on the flagship annual series of tournaments also known as the PGA Tour, the PGA Tour Champion ...
golfer, was a former resident * Brian Raabe, former
Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team is named afte ...
player *
Jack Trudeau Jack Francis Trudeau (born September 9, 1962) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) from 1986 to 1995. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting ...
, former
National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
quarterback, was born in Forest Lake in 1962 *
Matt Wallner Matthew John Wallner (born December 12, 1997) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born and raised in Forest Lake, Minnesota, Wallner played three years of college baseball at th ...
,
Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team is named afte ...
outfielder


References


External links


City of Forest Lake – Official Website
{{Authority control Cities in Minnesota Cities in Washington County, Minnesota Populated places established in 1874 1874 establishments in Minnesota