Lake Forest, CA town hall & government
Lake Forest spent $126.6 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $1,478 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Lake Forest's government.
Where Lake Forest's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Sales taxes 33%
- Property taxes 29%
- Interest, fines & other 13%
- From the state 8%
- Other taxes & licenses 8%
- Fees & charges 7%
- From the federal government 1%
- From other local governments 1%
Who works for Lake Forest
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Saddleback Valley Unified School District
Lake Forest's K–12 school district, shared with Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from California districts overall: 36% local, 52% state, 11% federal
- Local 64%
- State 31%
- Federal 5%
Of the $17,411 per pupil, $11,440 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Which schools Lake Forest kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Lake Forest pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Lake Forest's government
Who represents Lake Forest
Lake Forest is represented in Congress by Senators Alex Padilla and Adam B. Schiff and Representative Young Kim. Gavin Newsom is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.