At a Glance
Median Income
$57,145
$31,196 per capita
Home Value
$150,700
Zillow: $174,780
Median Rent
$1,094/mo
32.4% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
27.5%
94.6% high school+
Unemployment
7.1%
13.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
43.2%
15.9% smoking rate
How Forestdale Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Forestdale's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Forestdale a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.7 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Forestdale residents earn a median household income of $57,145 , which is 24% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $31,196. The unemployment rate stands at 7.1% (97% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 13.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 22,923 business establishments, including 1,550 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Forestdale is $150,700 , 47% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $174,780. Median rent is $1,094/month, with 32.4% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 88.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1971.
Education
27.5% of adults in Forestdale hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(18% below the national average).
94.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.6/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Forestdale has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C).
Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 56.6 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 57.
Data Overview
People
Population9,149
Median Age42.4 yrs
Density1,355/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Foreign Born1.2%
Veterans8.8%
Economy
B
Median Income$57,145
Per Capita$31,196
Unemployment7.1%
Poverty13.8%
County GDP$65,539M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,376
Housing
A+
Home Value$150,700
Rent$1,094
Ownership71.1%
Zillow$174,780
Housing Units4,432
Rent Burden32.4%
Health
Obesity43.2%
Diabetes16.6%
Smoking15.9%
Heart Disease6.1%
Premature Death13,164/100K
Climate
Avg Temp64°F
Rain56.6 in/yr
AQI57 (Moderate)
Elevation628 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+27.5%
High School+94.6%
Graduate+11.3%
School Score4.6/10
Community
2024 VoteR 44% / D 55%
Commute27 min
Broadband85.9%
Internet Speed187 Mbps
EV Stations72
Libraries40
Did You Know?
The median home in Forestdale was built in 1971.
The nearest airport is Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International (9 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.505 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
14.5% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 187 Mbps.
There are 1,550 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 94 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.