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Forest City, MO

Missouri

Forest City is a small town in Missouri with a population of 180. Residents earn $45,750 per year, which is 39% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
180 Population 184/sq mi density
$45,750 Median Income $23,819 per capita
$74,300 Home Value
$392 Median Rent 17.2% income on rent
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$45,750 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$74,300 home value, $392/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,750
39% lower than US avg
Home Value $74,300
74% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.5%
78% lower than US avg
Median Rent $392
66% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.4%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.4%
48% lower than US avg

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

People

Population180
Median Age56.4 yrs
Density184/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans12.9%

Economy

B+
Median Income$45,750
Per Capita$23,819
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty6.4%
Commute38 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$74,300
Rent$392
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units128
Rent Burden17.2%

Health

Obesity36.4%
Uninsured8.4%
Smoking18.3%
Depression27.0%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg TempN/A
AQI41 (Good)
Sunny Days297/yr
Elevation965 ft (294 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.5%
High School+92.5%
Graduate+2.4%
School Score5.51

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute38 min
Broadband84.0%

Is Forest City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Forest City receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times. 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 $45,750, 39% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. Only 6.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Forest City is $74,300, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $392 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

7.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

With 297 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Forest City has a population of 180 with a density of 184 people per square mile. The median age is 56.4 years, 45% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.2%), with 2.2% Hispanic.

Population

180
Total Population
184
People / sq mi
56.4yrs
Median Age
45% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.8%
Female 47.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Forest City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Forest City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Forest City is $45,750, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes.

Income: Forest City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,750
39% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,819

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.4%
48% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living90.80 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time37.7 min
Drive Alone86.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Forest City is $74,300, 74% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $392 (66% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$74,300
74% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$392
66% below US avg
Rent Burden17.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$732
1 Bedroom$775
2 Bedrooms$970
3 Bedrooms$1,265
4 Bedrooms$1,457

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied54.8%
Housing Units128
Median Year Built1955

Property Tax

In Forest City, 36.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.4% of residents lack health insurance. 18.3% are current smokers. 27.0% report depression. 29.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.4%
13% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure32.0%
Asthma11.1%
COPD7.6%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.3%
31% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.1%
Physical Inactivity29.7%
Depression27.0%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress14.1%
Short Sleep38.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.7%
Uninsured8.4%
2% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.7%
Dental Visits57.2%

Food & Exercise

7.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (78% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.2-point margin. 84.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.6%
D 22.4%

Winner: Republican by 54.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.5%
78% below US avg
High School+92.5%
Graduate Degree+2.4%
School Test Score5.51
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density184/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access84.0%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute37.7 min
Drive Alone86.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.7%

Nearby Cities

Highland, KS 1,047 pop · 9.3 mi Mound City, MO 1,103 pop · 10.5 mi Savannah, MO 5,062 pop · 19.4 mi Hiawatha, KS 3,223 pop · 20.4 mi Wathena, KS 1,463 pop · 20.8 mi Falls City, NE 4,099 pop · 22.2 mi Elwood, KS 1,169 pop · 22.5 mi Horton, KS 1,708 pop · 28.5 mi Atchison, KS 10,795 pop · 29.2 mi Maryville, MO 10,556 pop · 30.3 mi Sabetha, KS 2,326 pop · 32.2 mi Tarkio, MO 1,478 pop · 33.1 mi Rock Port, MO 1,207 pop · 34.2 mi Stanberry, MO 1,190 pop · 37.9 mi
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