Forest Heights, MD

Maryland · Metropolitan Area

Forest Heights is a small town in Maryland with a population of 2,619. Residents earn $96,434 per year, which is 28% above the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
2,619 Population 1,597/sq mi density
$96,434 Median Income $35,957 per capita
$346,800 Home Value $355,873 Zillow
$2,154 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
237 Violent Crime/100K 2,210 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$96,434 median income, 8.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$346,800 home value, $2,154/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
237 violent crimes/100K (38% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $96,434
28% higher than US avg
Home Value $346,800
23% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 237/100K
38% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.1%
37% lower than US avg
Median Rent $2,154
85% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.1%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.0%
122% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.7%
78% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,619
Median Age39.7 yrs
Density1,597/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 21%

Economy

A
Median Income$96,434
Per Capita$35,957
Unemployment8.0%
Poverty2.7%
County GDP$18,000M
Commute34 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$346,800
Rent$2,154
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$355,873

Crime

F
Violent237/100K
Property2,210/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault118/100K
Burglary829/100K

Health

Obesity42.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression14.9%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain41.8 in/yr
Elevation69 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.1%
High School+74.5%
School Score5.85

Community

2024 VoteR 20% / D 78%
Commute34 min
Libraries7

Is Forest Heights a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Forest Heights receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, high obesity rates. Forest Heights offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Forest Heights is $96,434, 28% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. At 8.0%, unemployment is notably high. Only 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Forest Heights is $346,800, 23% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $2,154 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Forest Heights is below the national average at 237 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,210 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

21.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 74.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Forest Heights enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.8 inches, including 13.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Forest Heights has a population of 2,619 with a density of 1,597 people per square mile. The median age is 39.7 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (48.6%), with 21% White, 2.8% Hispanic.

Population

2,619
Total Population
1,597
People / sq mi
39.7yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.7%
Female 51.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Forest Heights vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only59.9%
24% below US avg
Spanish40.1%
199% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Forest Heights vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Forest Heights is $96,434, which is 28% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Forest Heights vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$96,434
28% above US avg
Per Capita Income$35,957
Avg Weekly Wage$1,760
IRS Avg AGI$135,247

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.0%
122% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.7%
78% below US avg
Establishments (County)6,382
County GDP$18,000M

Business (County)

Restaurants396
Healthcare497
Retail413
Manufacturing57

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,153
162% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.64%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.5 min
Work from Home13.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Forest Heights is $346,800, 23% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,154 (85% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $355,873.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$346,800
23% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$355,873

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,154
85% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,312
1 Bedroom$1,400
2 Bedrooms$1,648
3 Bedrooms$2,123
4 Bedrooms$2,442

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied90.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,153
162% above US avg
Effective Rate2.64%
In Forest Heights, 42.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 14.9% report depression. 29.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.1%
31% above US avg
Diabetes13.9%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure36.9%
Asthma11.6%
COPD5.2%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.1%
Physical Inactivity29.1%
Depression14.9%
Mental Distress15.4%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.2%
Checkup Rate75.4%
Premature Death4,702/100K

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access100.0%
Healthcare Facilities497
Forest Heights has a violent crime rate of 237 per 100,000 residents, 38% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,210 per 100,000 (13% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent236.8/100K
38% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery118.4/100K
Assault118.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,209.9/100K
13% above US avg
Burglary828.7/100K
Theft1,144.4/100K
Vehicle Theft236.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Forest Heights has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average59.3°F
10% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.8 inches
10% above US avg
Snowfall13.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation69 ft (21 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density1,597/sq mi
Coordinates38.8038°N, 77.0117°W
County FIPS51510
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 21.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (37% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 57.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 20.1%
D 77.9%

Winner: Democrat by 57.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.1%
37% below US avg
High School+74.5%
School Test Score5.85
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,597/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities497
Restaurants396
Retail Stores413

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.5 min
Work from Home13.9%

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