Forest City, NC

Full City Profile · North Carolina · Rutherford County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
7,368 Population 858/sq mi density
$35,897 Median Income $21,285 per capita
$142,100 Home Value $190,259 Zillow
$815 Median Rent 33.8% income on rent
59°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.8 / 5.0
$35,897 median income, 6.7% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$142,100 home value, $815/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.2% bachelor's degree or higher

Forest City, NC

At a Glance

Median Income
$35,897
52% below
$21,285 per capita
Home Value
$142,100
50% below
Zillow: $190,259
Median Rent
$815/mo
30% below
33.8% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
17.2%
49% below
85.8% high school+
Unemployment
6.7%
86% above
29.6% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
42.9%
34% above
21.6% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
59°F

How Forest City Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Forest City's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
48%
Home Value
50%
Rent
70%
Poverty
239%
Bachelor's
51%
Unemployment
186%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Forest City a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Forest City residents earn a median household income of $35,897 , which is 52% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $21,285. The unemployment rate stands at 6.7% (86% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 29.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,498 business establishments, including 113 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Forest City is $142,100 , 50% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $190,259. Median rent is $815/month, with 33.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 94.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1967.

Education

17.2% of adults in Forest City hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below the national average). 85.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.8/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Forest City has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.7 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population7,368
Median Age34.8 yrs
Density858/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Foreign Born5.7%
Veterans7.6%

Economy

D
Median Income$35,897
Per Capita$21,285
Unemployment6.7%
Poverty29.6%
County GDP$2,490M
Avg Weekly Wage$925

Housing

A
Home Value$142,100
Rent$815
Ownership41.1%
Zillow$190,259
Housing Units3,235
Rent Burden33.8%

Health

Obesity42.9%
Diabetes14.4%
Smoking21.6%
Heart Disease7.6%
Premature Death13,778/100K

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
Rain51.7 in/yr
Elevation999 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.2%
High School+85.8%
Graduate+5.7%
School Score5.8/10

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 26%
Commute27 min
Broadband85.7%
Internet Speed26 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries3

Did You Know?

Forest City was founded in 1877.
The median home in Forest City was built in 1967.
The nearest airport is Greenville Spartanburg International (36 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.470 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
21.8% of the population has a disability.
There are 113 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 10 fatal vehicle crashes.