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Forest City, IL

Illinois

Forest City is a small town in Illinois with a population of 225. Residents earn $63,125 per year, which is 16% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
225 Population 433/sq mi density
$63,125 Median Income $28,239 per capita
$70,000 Home Value $88,695 Zillow
$920 Median Rent 16.3% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$63,125 median income, 9.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$70,000 home value, $920/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,125
16% lower than US avg
Home Value $70,000
75% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.4%
60% lower than US avg
Median Rent $920
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.0%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 9.8%
172% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 27.3%
120% higher than US avg

How Forest City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population225
Median Age38.6 yrs
Density433/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans16.5%

Economy

C
Median Income$63,125
Per Capita$28,239
Unemployment9.8%
Poverty27.3%
County GDP$634M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$70,000
Rent$920
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$88,695
Housing Units88
Rent Burden16.3%

Health

Obesity37.0%
Uninsured8.0%
Smoking16.7%
Depression24.9%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.3 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation492 ft (150 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.4%
High School+91.7%
Graduate+0.7%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute31 min
Broadband93.0%
Libraries3

Is Forest City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Forest City receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Forest City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Forest City is $63,125, 16% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.8%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 27.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Forest City is $70,000, 75% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $920 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Forest City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.3 inches, including 12.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Forest City has a population of 225 with a density of 433 people per square mile. The median age is 38.6 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.3%).

Population

225
Total Population
433
People / sq mi
38.6yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Forest City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.4%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.6%
73% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Forest City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Forest City is $63,125, which is 16% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 9.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 27.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Forest City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,125
16% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,239
Avg Weekly Wage$813
IRS Avg AGI$63,475

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.8%
172% above US avg
Poverty Rate27.3%
120% above US avg
Establishments (County)298
County GDP$634M

Business (County)

Restaurants34
Healthcare24
Retail44
Manufacturing10

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,889
11% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.56%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.8 min
Drive Alone78.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Forest City is $70,000, 75% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $920 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $88,695.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$70,000
75% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$88,695

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$920
21% below US avg
Rent Burden16.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.0%
Housing Units88
Median Year Built1960

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,889
11% above US avg
Effective Rate5.56%
In Forest City, 37.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.0% of residents lack health insurance. 16.7% are current smokers. 24.9% report depression. 23.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Forest City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.0%
15% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma11.0%
COPD7.3%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.7%
19% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.4%
Physical Inactivity23.1%
Depression24.9%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress13.4%
Short Sleep37.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.6%
Uninsured8.0%
7% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.1%
Dental Visits60.7%
Premature Death10,740/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access59.0%
Healthcare Facilities24
Forest City has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.3 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.7°F
4% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.3 inches
3% above US avg
Snowfall12.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation492 ft (150 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density433/sq mi
Coordinates40.3722°N, 89.8325°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17125
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 13.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (60% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.2-point margin. 93.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.1%
D 27.8%

Winner: Republican by 42.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.4%
60% below US avg
High School+91.7%
Graduate Degree+0.7%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density433/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access93.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities24
Restaurants34
Retail Stores44

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.8 min
Drive Alone78.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.5%

Nearby Cities

Manito, IL 1,640 pop · 4.3 mi Havana, IL 3,176 pop · 13.0 mi Mason City, IL 2,094 pop · 13.7 mi Delavan, IL 1,600 pop · 15.1 mi Canton, IL 13,408 pop · 17.0 mi Lewistown, IL 1,828 pop · 17.1 mi Pekin, IL 31,812 pop · 17.4 mi Lake Camelot, IL 1,744 pop · 18.6 mi North Pekin, IL 1,647 pop · 19.9 mi Bartonville, IL 5,854 pop · 20.7 mi Marquette Heights, IL 2,613 pop · 20.8 mi Tremont, IL 2,300 pop · 20.9 mi Hanna City, IL 1,334 pop · 22.2 mi Creve Coeur, IL 4,572 pop · 22.5 mi
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