Median Income
$46,111
39% lower than US avg
Home Value
$106,800
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
13.1%
61% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$749
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
40.6%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment
1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
13.8%
11% higher than US avg
How Forest Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population1,401
Median Age37.3 yrs
Density839/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Economy
B+
Median Income$46,111
Per Capita$25,963
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty13.8%
County GDP$1,407M
Commute24 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$106,800
Rent$749
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$124,569
Health
Obesity40.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.2%
Heart Disease6.1%
Climate
Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.6 in/yr
Elevation929 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+13.1%
High School+91.5%
School Score5.90
Community
2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute24 min
Libraries3
Is Forest a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Forest receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include 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 $46,111, 39% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. 13.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Forest is $106,800, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $749 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Education
13.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.
Climate & Weather
Forest experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.6 inches, including 25.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Forest has a population of 1,401 with a density of 839 people per square mile. The median age is 37.3 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.4%), with 2.1% Hispanic.
Population
37.3yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 99.2% |
| 26% above US avg |
| Spanish | 0.8% |
| 94% below US avg |
The median household income in Forest is $46,111, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.
Income
| Median HH Income | $46,111 |
| 39% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $25,963 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,053 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $64,393 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 1.3% |
| 64% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% |
| 11% above US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 589 |
| County GDP | $1,407M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 46 |
| Healthcare | 41 |
| Retail | 64 |
| Manufacturing | 44 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $2,569 |
| 27% below US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 2.41% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 23.5 min |
| Work from Home | 3.0% |
The median home value in Forest is $106,800, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $749 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $124,569.
Home Values
| Census Median | $106,800 |
| 62% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $124,569 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $749 |
| 36% below US avg |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $816 |
| 1 Bedroom | $873 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,092 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,388 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,550 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $2,569 |
| 27% below US avg |
| Effective Rate | 2.41% |
In Forest, 40.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.2% report depression. 28.4% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Forest vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 40.6% |
| 26% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 10.9% |
| Heart Disease | 6.1% |
| High Blood Pressure | 35.3% |
| Asthma | 11.1% |
| COPD | 7.6% |
| Stroke | 3.1% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 18.1% |
| Physical Inactivity | 28.4% |
| Depression | 27.2% |
| Mental Distress | 19.9% |
| Physical Distress | 14.0% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 87.0% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 76.9% |
| Premature Death | 8,016/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 8.6/10 |
| Exercise Access | 35.4% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 41 |
Crime Rates: Forest vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 2 |
Safety Score
Forest has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-4°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.8°F |
| 6% below US avg |
| January Average | 26°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 37.6 inches |
| 1% below US avg |
| Snowfall | 25.8 inches/yr |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 929 ft (283 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 839/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.8044°N, 83.5146°W |
| County FIPS | 39175 |