Iowa
Forest City is a small town in Iowa with a population of 4,280. Residents earn $62,917 per year, which is 16% below the national average.
Based on current data, Forest City receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Forest City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Forest City is $62,917, 16% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. Only 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
The median home value in Forest City is $136,400, 52% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $719 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Violent crime in Forest City is below the national average at 302 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,260 per 100,000, 36% below the national average.
26.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.
Forest City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
| English Only | 88.8% |
| 13% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 11.2% |
| 16% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $62,917 |
| 16% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $34,494 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $904 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $70,658 |
| Unemployment | 1.7% |
| 53% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% |
| 52% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 393 |
| County GDP | $690M |
| Restaurants | 21 |
| Healthcare | 31 |
| Retail | 49 |
| Manufacturing | 17 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,053 |
| 13% below US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 2.24% |
| Commute Time | 13.5 min |
| Work from Home | 6.0% |
| Census Median | $136,400 |
| 52% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $178,306 |
| Census Median Rent | $719 |
| 38% below US avg |
| Studio | $738 |
| 1 Bedroom | $788 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $989 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,282 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
| Owner-Occupied | 72.3% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,053 |
| 13% below US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 2.24% |
| Obesity | 39.4% |
| 23% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 9.3% |
| Heart Disease | 5.3% |
| High Blood Pressure | 30.8% |
| Asthma | 10.1% |
| COPD | 5.9% |
| Stroke | 2.8% |
| Binge Drinking | 22.5% |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.4% |
| Depression | 21.4% |
| Mental Distress | 17.4% |
| Physical Distress | 12.0% |
| Insurance Rate | 96.3% |
| Checkup Rate | 75.6% |
| Premature Death | 5,991/100K |
| Food Environment | 9.1/10 |
| Exercise Access | 85.3% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 31 |
| Total Violent | 302.3/100K |
| 20% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 100.8/100K |
| Robbery | 25.2/100K |
| Assault | 176.4/100K |
| Total Property | 1,259.8/100K |
| 36% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 403.1/100K |
| Theft | 781.1/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 75.6/100K |
| Arson | 25.2/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 2 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 44.9°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 35.9 inches |
| 5% below US avg |
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 1,261 ft (384 m) |
| Area | 4.6 sq mi (11.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 932/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.2571°N, 93.6366°W |
| County FIPS | 19189 |
Winner: Republican by 30.7 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% |
| 23% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 93.3% |
| School Test Score | 5.73 |
| RUCC Code 9 | Nonmetro — Rural |
| Population Density | 932/sq mi |
| Total Area | 4.6 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 8 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 10 |
| Public Libraries | 5 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 31 |
| Restaurants | 21 |
| Retail Stores | 49 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 2 |
| Avg Commute | 13.5 min |
| Work from Home | 6.0% |