Zip Code 92630

Lake Forest, CAOrange County

Real Estate Market Analysis

Q3 2025 Report
$1,075,000 (March 2025, Lake Forest citywide)
Median Home Value
~86,000 (Lake Forest city est. 2025)
Population
$120,000 (est. 2025)
Median Income
Above average (GreatSchools 7-9/10)
School District Rating

Market Statistics

Property Values

$1,075,000 (March 2025, Lake Forest citywide)
Median Home Value
$3,200/mo (est. 2025)
Median Rent
$650 (est. 2025)
Price per Sq Ft

Market Performance

Home Appreciation+10.8% YoY (March 2025)
Market Velocity88% of homes sold within 30 days; average days on market: 17 (April 2025)[1]
Foreclosure RateLow (Orange County avg. <0.5%)

Area Information

Area Size~17 sq mi
CountyOrange
Primary CityLake Forest

Housing Profile

Housing Statistics

Total Housing Units~27,000 (Lake Forest city est.)
Owner Occupied~67%
Rental Properties~33%
Vacant Units~4%
New ConstructionActive, but constrained by permitting and funding; affordable housing backlog regionally[2][3]

Housing Types

Single-family homesTownhomesCondosApartments

Demographics

~86,000 (Lake Forest city est. 2025)
Population
39
Median Age
$120,000 (est. 2025)
Median Income
~96% (unemployment ~4%)
Employment Rate
High: 45% bachelor’s degree or higher
Education Levels
Predominantly families, with a mix of young professionals and retirees
Family Composition

Education Quality

School District Performance

Above average (GreatSchools 7-9/10)
District Rating
School DistrictSaddleback Valley Unified School District
Test ScoresConsistently above state average
Graduation Rates~95%

Schools in Area

  • El Toro High School
  • Serrano Intermediate
  • Lake Forest Elementary
  • Foothill Ranch Elementary

Economic Factors

Employment & Business

Job GrowthSteady, tech and healthcare sectors expanding
Unemployment Rate~4% (2025)
Business EnvironmentBusiness-friendly, strong corporate presence
Commercial ActivityActive retail, office, and light industrial

Major Employers

  • Panasonic Avionics
  • Oakley
  • Apria Healthcare
  • LoanDepot
  • Saddleback Valley Unified School District

Infrastructure & Quality of Life

Infrastructure

Transportation Access

  • I-5 Freeway
  • 241 Toll Road
  • OCTA bus service

Utilities & Services

  • Southern California Edison (electricity)
  • SoCal Gas
  • City water/sewer

Quality of Life

Safety & Environment

Low; violent and property crime rates below state average

Good air quality, well-maintained parks

Healthcare Access

  • Saddleback Medical Center
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Multiple urgent care clinics

Development Trends

Planned Developments

  • Portola Center (master-planned community)
  • Affordable housing projects (pending funding)

Infrastructure Projects

  • Road widening (Bake Pkwy, Alton Pkwy)
  • Park expansions

Investment Outlook

Growth Outlook

Moderate, with focus on infill and higher-density

Investment Opportunities

  • New townhomes/condos
  • Value-add single-family homes
  • Small multifamily

Marketing Intelligence

Target Demographics

  • Move-up families
  • Young professionals
  • Empty nesters
  • Investors

Competitive Advantages

  • Top-rated schools
  • Low crime
  • Central OC location

Pricing Strategies

List near recent comps, expect multiple offers for turnkey homes

Common Objections & Response Strategies

Objection: High home prices

Response Strategy:

Emphasize appreciation, low crime, and school quality

Objection: Limited affordable inventory

Response Strategy:

Highlight new developments and value in condos/townhomes

Objection: Traffic congestion

Response Strategy:

Show proximity to toll roads and flexible commute options

Professional Recommendations

1

Leverage school and safety data in marketing

2

Advise buyers to act quickly on new listings

3

Highlight new construction and ADU potential

4

Network with relocation specialists and corporate HR

5

Monitor affordable housing pipeline for future opportunities

Competitive Analysis

Comparable Markets

  • Mission Viejo (92691)
  • Irvine (92620, 92618)
  • Rancho Santa Margarita (92688)

Market Positioning

Family-friendly, safe, high-quality schools

Competitive Advantages

  • Lower price per sqft than Irvine
  • Better schools than Santa Ana

Price Comparison

Slightly below Irvine, above Santa Ana

Investment Metrics

~4.2% (single-family rental, 2025 est.)
Cap Rates
~3.5% gross yield
Rental Yields
~28:1
Price-to-Rent
Positive for long-term holds, limited for new purchases at peak pricing
Cash Flow
2–4% annually (2025–2030)
Appreciation

Buyer Journey Insights

First-Time Buyers

Challenging due to high prices; focus on condos/townhomes and down payment assistance

Move-Up Buyers

Strong equity positions, motivated by schools and space

Downsizers

Seek single-level homes and low-maintenance condos

Investors

Look for value-add and ADU opportunities; rental demand is robust

Relocators

Attracted by jobs, schools, and quality of life

This zip code analysis was generated using comprehensive market data and AI intelligence.

Market conditions change rapidly - consult with local real estate professionals for the most current information.

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