Forest City, PA

Pennsylvania

Forest City is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 1,700. Residents earn $58,125 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,700 Population 1,848/sq mi density
$58,125 Median Income $32,627 per capita
$138,500 Home Value $200,878 Zillow
$877 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
163 Violent Crime/100K 2,670 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$58,125 median income, 5.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$138,500 home value, $877/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
163 violent crimes/100K (57% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,125
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $138,500
51% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 163/100K
57% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.1%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $877
25% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.9%
64% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.5%
49% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,700
Median Age45.9 yrs
Density1,848/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

C+
Median Income$58,125
Per Capita$32,627
Unemployment5.9%
Poverty18.5%
County GDP$2,652M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$138,500
Rent$877
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$200,878

Crime

F
Violent163/100K
Property2,670/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault163/100K
Burglary436/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain51.4 in/yr
Elevation1,652 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.1%
High School+92.4%
School Score5.24

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 31%
Commute25 min
Libraries7

Is Forest City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Forest City receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Forest City has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Forest City is $58,125, 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.9% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 18.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Forest City is $138,500, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $877 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Forest City is below the national average at 163 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,670 per 100,000, 36% above the national average.

Education

16.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Forest City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.4 inches, including 69.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Forest City has a population of 1,700 with a density of 1,848 people per square mile. The median age is 45.9 years, 18% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.8%).

Population

1,700
Total Population
1,848
People / sq mi
45.9yrs
Median Age
18% above US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.1%
Female 54.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Forest City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.5%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.5%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Forest City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Forest City is $58,125, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 18.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Forest City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,125
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,627
Avg Weekly Wage$1,017
IRS Avg AGI$70,718

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.9%
64% above US avg
Poverty Rate18.5%
49% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,445
County GDP$2,652M

Business (County)

Restaurants164
Healthcare133
Retail199
Manufacturing47

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,971
99% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.03%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.9 min
Work from Home14.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Forest City is $138,500, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $877 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $200,878.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$138,500
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$200,878

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$877
25% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$708
1 Bedroom$888
2 Bedrooms$973
3 Bedrooms$1,236
4 Bedrooms$1,632

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,971
99% above US avg
Effective Rate5.03%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.3%
Premature Death8,326/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access60.4%
Healthcare Facilities133
Forest City has a violent crime rate of 163 per 100,000 residents, 57% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,670 per 100,000 (36% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Forest City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent163.5/100K
57% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault163.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,670.3/100K
36% above US avg
Burglary436.0/100K
Theft2,234.3/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Forest City has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average44.1°F
18% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.4 inches
35% above US avg
Snowfall69.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,652 ft (504 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density1,848/sq mi
Coordinates41.6527°N, 75.4692°W
County FIPS42127
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 16.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 37.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.2%
D 31.1%

Winner: Republican by 37.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.1%
52% below US avg
High School+92.4%
School Test Score5.24
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,848/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities133
Restaurants164
Retail Stores199

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.9 min
Work from Home14.6%

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