Forest, LA

Louisiana

Forest is a small town in Louisiana with a population of 336. Residents earn $45,625 per year, which is 39% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
336 Population 201/sq mi density
$45,625 Median Income $18,600 per capita
$95,000 Home Value
$775 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
65°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$45,625 median income, 9.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$95,000 home value, $775/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,625
39% lower than US avg
Home Value $95,000
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.9%
59% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.8%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 9.7%
169% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.2%
66% lower than US avg

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

People

Population336
Median Age25.7 yrs
Density201/mi²
Male / Female46% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans9.5%

Economy

C+
Median Income$45,625
Per Capita$18,600
Unemployment9.7%
Poverty4.2%
County GDP$237M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$95,000
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden27.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.1%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI42 (Good)
Rain58.8 in/yr
Elevation128 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.9%
High School+82.7%
School Score4.48

Community

2024 VoteR 87% / D 13%
Commute22 min
Broadband98.0%
Libraries1

Is Forest a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Forest receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Forest offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Forest is $45,625, 39% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.7%, unemployment is notably high. Only 4.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Forest is $95,000, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Forest enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 58.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Forest has a population of 336 with a density of 201 people per square mile. The median age is 25.7 years, 34% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.2%), with 6.3% Black.

Population

336
Total Population
201
People / sq mi
25.7yrs
Median Age
34% below US avg
1.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.5%
Female 54.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Forest vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Forest vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Forest is $45,625, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 9.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Forest vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,625
39% below US avg
Per Capita Income$18,600
Avg Weekly Wage$823
IRS Avg AGI$49,980

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.7%
169% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.2%
66% below US avg
Establishments (County)236
County GDP$237M

Business (County)

Restaurants12
Healthcare18
Retail29
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$875
75% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.92%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.6 min
Drive Alone88.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Forest is $95,000, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$95,000
66% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg
Rent Burden27.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$763
1 Bedroom$832
2 Bedrooms$1,007
3 Bedrooms$1,298
4 Bedrooms$1,508

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$875
75% below US avg
Effective Rate0.92%
In Forest, 38.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.1% report depression. 29.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.8%
21% above US avg
Diabetes11.8%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure36.7%
Asthma10.3%
COPD8.4%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.1%
Physical Inactivity29.9%
Depression30.1%
Mental Distress21.3%
Physical Distress15.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.5%
Checkup Rate78.3%
Premature Death12,774/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access31.6%
Healthcare Facilities18

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Forest has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 58.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average64.6°F
20% above US avg
January Average45°F (7°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall58.8 inches
55% above US avg
Snowfall0.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation128 ft (39 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²)
Population Density201/sq mi
Coordinates32.7924°N, 91.4126°W
County FIPS22123
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 13.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (59% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 74-point margin. 98.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 86.6%
D 12.6%

Winner: Republican by 74 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.9%
59% below US avg
High School+82.7%
School Test Score4.48
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density201/sq mi
Total Area1.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access98.0%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities18
Restaurants12
Retail Stores29

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.6 min
Drive Alone88.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.4%

Nearby Cities

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