Forest Hill, TX

Texas · Metropolitan Area

Forest Hill is a small city in Texas with a population of 13,923. Residents earn $59,653 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
13,923 Population 3,339/sq mi density
$59,653 Median Income $23,364 per capita
$171,300 Home Value $221,376 Zillow
$1,506 Median Rent
67°F Avg Temperature
250 Violent Crime/100K 3,216 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$59,653 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$171,300 home value, $1,506/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
250 violent crimes/100K (34% below avg)
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,653
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $171,300
39% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 250/100K
34% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.4%
63% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,506
29% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.8%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.2%
23% higher than US avg

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

People

Population13,923
Median Age33.3 yrs
Density3,339/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 19%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,653
Per Capita$23,364
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty15.2%
County GDP$178,003M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$171,300
Rent$1,506
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$221,376

Crime

F
Violent250/100K
Property3,216/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault86/100K
Burglary790/100K

Health

Obesity40.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp67°F
AQI42 (Good)
Rain36.2 in/yr
Elevation653 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.4%
High School+71.7%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 47%
Commute29 min
EV Stations1
Libraries47

Is Forest Hill a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Forest Hill receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Forest Hill has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Forest Hill is $59,653, 21% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Forest Hill is $171,300, 39% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,506 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Forest Hill is below the national average at 250 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,216 per 100,000, 64% above the national average.

Education

12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 71.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Forest Hill enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F. Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Forest Hill has a population of 13,923 with a density of 3,339 people per square mile. The median age is 33.3 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (44%), with 18.9% White, 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

13,923
Total Population
3,339
People / sq mi
33.3yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
4.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.1%
Female 58.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Forest Hill vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only57.2%
27% below US avg
Spanish42.8%
219% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Forest Hill vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Forest Hill is $59,653, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Forest Hill vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,653
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,364
Avg Weekly Wage$1,398
IRS Avg AGI$91,104

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.2%
23% above US avg
Establishments (County)50,573
County GDP$178,003M

Business (County)

Restaurants4,656
Healthcare5,993
Retail6,287
Manufacturing1,588

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,373
196% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.06%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.7 min
Work from Home8.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Forest Hill is $171,300, 39% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,506 (29% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $221,376.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$171,300
39% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$221,376
Median List Price$210,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$210,000
$/Sq Ft$164
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio98.0%
Price Drops15.0%
Inventory20

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,506
29% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,756

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$887
1 Bedroom$935
2 Bedrooms$1,149
3 Bedrooms$1,497
4 Bedrooms$1,733

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,373
196% above US avg
Effective Rate6.06%
In Forest Hill, 40.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.4% report depression. 39.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.8%
27% above US avg
Diabetes16.7%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure37.6%
Asthma11.0%
COPD7.1%
Stroke4.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.2%
Physical Inactivity39.4%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress16.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.0%
Checkup Rate72.5%
Premature Death7,833/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access94.3%
Healthcare Facilities5,993
Forest Hill has a violent crime rate of 250 per 100,000 residents, 34% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,216 per 100,000 (64% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent250.4/100K
34% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape23.5/100K
Robbery140.8/100K
Assault86.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,215.7/100K
64% above US avg
Burglary790.2/100K
Theft2,175.1/100K
Vehicle Theft250.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)202

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Forest Hill has an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

47°F Jan (9°C) 85°F Jul (30°C)
Annual Average66.8°F
24% above US avg
January Average47°F (9°C)
July Average85°F (30°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.2 inches
5% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation653 ft (199 m)
Area4.2 sq mi (10.8 km²)
Population Density3,339/sq mi
Coordinates32.6619°N, 97.2662°W
County FIPS48439
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (63% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 5.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 51.9%
D 46.7%

Winner: Republican by 5.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.4%
63% below US avg
High School+71.7%
School Test Score5.10
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,339/sq mi
Total Area4.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries47
Healthcare Facilities5,993
Restaurants4,656
Retail Stores6,287

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)202
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.7 min
Work from Home8.3%

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