Lake Forest vs Panama Park
Two Duval communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-10-03.
| Metric | Lake Forest | Panama Park |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $230K | $175K |
| Price per sq ft | $136 | $151 |
| Avg days on market | 87 days | 74 days |
| Months of supply | 2.2 mo | 5.5 mo |
| Market | Balanced Market | Buyer-Leaning Market |
| 1-year price change | +13% | -20% |
| Recent closings | 44 | 26 |
The verdict
Lake Forest carries the higher median price — about 31% above Panama Park. Homes in Panama Park sell faster (74 days on market vs 87). Lake Forest is the tighter market on inventory (2.2 months of supply).
Where each one is
Lake Forest and Panama Park are about 2 miles apart (straight-line, center to center) and share Duval County.
| Lake Forest | Panama Park | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Duval County, FL | Duval County, FL |
| City / area | Jacksonville | Jacksonville |
| ZIP | 32208 | 32208 |
| Straight-line to downtown Jacksonville | 4 mi | 4 mi |
| Nearest Atlantic beach | 16 mi, Huguenot Park (Jacksonville) | 15 mi, Huguenot Park (Jacksonville) |
| FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels) | 86% of 21 homes outside a flood zone (Zone X) | 95% of 22 homes outside a flood zone (Zone X) |
Distances are straight-line; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more. Flood-zone shares come from FEMA flood maps matched to sampled parcels; always check the exact address before you close.
What is for sale today
| Lake Forest | Panama Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 8 | 12 |
| Under contract | 3 | 2 |
| Asking prices today | $125K to $224K | $110K to $275K |
| Property types listed | Single Family Residence | Single Family Residence |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: Lake Forest homes for sale · Panama Park homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| Lake Forest | Panama Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 605 | 373 |
| Built | 1924–2023 (median 1950) | 1899–2024 (median 1944) |
| Typical living area | 1,618 sq ft | 1,247 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 57% | 42% |
| Vacant lots | 7 | 8 |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
Price history, year by year
| Year | Lake Forest median | Panama Park median |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $21K (39 sales) | $26K (7 sales) |
| 2013 | $29K (46 sales) | $26K (17 sales) |
| 2014 | $26K (57 sales) | $22K (24 sales) |
| 2015 | $25K (56 sales) | $22K (44 sales) |
| 2016 | $39K (71 sales) | $30K (28 sales) |
| 2017 | $65K (56 sales) | $90K (46 sales) |
| 2018 | $89K (70 sales) | $74K (40 sales) |
| 2019 | $81K (65 sales) | $80K (33 sales) |
| 2020 | $109K (50 sales) | $110K (39 sales) |
| 2021 | $122K (84 sales) | $122K (43 sales) |
| 2022 | $169K (52 sales) | $163K (53 sales) |
| 2023 | $180K (44 sales) | $174K (46 sales) |
| 2024 | $185K (45 sales) | $162K (37 sales) |
| 2025 | $148K (59 sales) | $145K (29 sales) |
| 2026 | $165K (45 sales) | $147K (27 sales) |
Since 2012, Lake Forest's median sale price is +681% and Panama Park's is +465% — Lake Forest has appreciated faster over that stretch.
How each one trades
| Lake Forest | Panama Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 92.5% | 87.9% |
| New-construction share of sales | 2% | 0% |
| Typical sold home | 1,252 sq ft | 1,156 sq ft |
| Momentum market-heat score | 34 (cold) | 34 (cold) |
Last 12 months of recorded closings; sale-to-original-list is the share of the first asking price sellers actually got.
Schools the listings are zoned for
| Lake Forest | Panama Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | North Shore | North Shore |
| Middle | Matthew Gilbert | Matthew Gilbert |
| High school | Jean Ribault | Jean Ribault |
The school most often recorded on each community's MLS listings. Always confirm a specific address with the district.
Momentum Realty agents have closed 1 home in Lake Forest and 1 in Panama Park (brokerage records, both sides counted once). Find an agent who works Lake Forest · Panama Park.
Which one fits
On budget alone, Panama Park is the lower entry point (median $175K vs $230K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in Lake Forest; Panama Park trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in Panama Park (74 days on market on average); buyers get more negotiating room where homes sit longer.
Neither number set decides it: drive both on a weekday evening, check the HOA documents and the flood zone for the exact street, and price the insurance before you write an offer. A Momentum agent who works both communities can pull the comparable sales for any two specific homes.
Questions people ask
Is Lake Forest more expensive than Panama Park?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in Lake Forest is $230,000 versus $175,000 in Panama Park, about 31% higher.
How far apart are Lake Forest and Panama Park?
About 2 miles straight-line, center to center, both in Duval County; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more.
Which has newer homes, Lake Forest or Panama Park?
Lake Forest: its homes were built 1924–2023 with a median year of 1950, versus a median of 1944 in Panama Park (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Which has bigger homes?
Lake Forest. The typical home there is 1,618 sq ft of living area, versus 1,247 sq ft in Panama Park.
Which has appreciated more, Lake Forest or Panama Park?
From 2012 to 2026 the median sale price rose 681% in Lake Forest and 465% in Panama Park (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
Lake Forest — sellers there received 92.5% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 87.9% in Panama Park.
What high schools serve Lake Forest and Panama Park?
Listings in Lake Forest most often report Jean Ribault; listings in Panama Park report Jean Ribault. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: Lake Forest homes, photos & schools · Panama Park homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.