Forest Hills, MI

Full City Profile · Michigan · Ionia County County

5.0 /5.0
A+ Excellent
28,494 Population 578/sq mi density
$156,618 Median Income $79,311 per capita
$474,800 Home Value $648,391 Zillow
$1,950 Median Rent 23.3% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
5.0 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$156,618 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$474,800 home value, $1,950/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
71.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Forest Hills experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.4 inches. The area receives 77.6 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.3°F
9% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation628 ft (191 m)
Area50.8 sq mi (131.6 km²)
Population Density578/sq mi
Coordinates42.9602°N, 85.4897°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
CountyIonia County County
Nearest AirportGerald R Ford International (GRR)
6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 39.4"
4% above US avg
Snowfall 77.6"
Wettest Month (Oct) 4.02"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.12"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score55.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability33.6 / 100
Community Resilience81.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

3 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.2. Most recent: M3.3 on Jun 30, 2015.

May 2, 2015 5 km S of Galesburg, Michigan M4.2 81 km
Sep 2, 1994 5 km SSW of DeWitt, Michigan M3.5 74 km
Jun 30, 2015 5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan M3.3 98 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

297 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 36 fatalities, 803 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Apr 3, 1956 EF5 69 km 17
Apr 2, 1977 EF4 76 km 0
Apr 2, 1977 EF4 70 km 1
Apr 21, 1967 EF4 56 km 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 70 km 1
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 36 km 5
Aug 24, 2007 EF3 68 km 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF3 81 km 0
May 13, 1980 EF3 76 km 5
Apr 23, 1968 EF3 82 km 0
Apr 21, 1967 EF3 24 km 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF3 66 km 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF3 38 km 0
Apr 3, 1956 EF3 93 km 0
May 7, 2024 EF2 87 km 0
Jun 19, 2009 EF2 69 km 0
Jun 19, 2009 EF2 64 km 0
May 21, 2001 EF2 66 km 0
Jul 4, 1994 EF2 37 km 0
Nov 27, 1989 EF2 49 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

3 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: ALLEGAN6 (1,077 ac, 1988).

Year Name Acres Distance
1988 ALLEGAN6 1,077 62 km
2018 SER 438 / WHITE RIVER 814 81 km
2019 UNNAMED 793 81 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 25°F (-4°C) 2.5 in Coldest
February 27°F (-3°C) 2.1 in Driest
March 36°F (2°C) 2.4 in
April 48°F (9°C) 4.0 in
May 59°F (15°C) 4.0 in
June 69°F (21°C) 3.9 in
July 73°F (23°C) 3.9 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 3.6 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.4 in
October 52°F (11°C) 4.0 in Wettest
November 40°F (4°C) 3.1 in
December 30°F (-1°C) 2.5 in

Forest Hills has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.4 inches, with October being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (2.1").

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