Forks, WA

Washington

Forks is a small town in Washington with a population of 3,413. Residents earn $46,389 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,413 Population 824/sq mi density
$46,389 Median Income $30,573 per capita
$193,900 Home Value $333,872 Zillow
$878 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
483 Violent Crime/100K 2,093 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$46,389 median income, 4.8% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$193,900 home value, $878/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
483 violent crimes/100K (27% above avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,389
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $193,900
31% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 483/100K
27% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.0%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $878
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.2%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.8%
33% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.4%
56% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,413
Median Age37.8 yrs
Density824/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 64%

Economy

C+
Median Income$46,389
Per Capita$30,573
Unemployment4.8%
Poverty19.4%
County GDP$3,825M
Commute20 min

Housing

A
Home Value$193,900
Rent$878
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$333,872

Crime

F
Violent483/100K
Property2,093/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault322/100K
Burglary617/100K

Health

Obesity36.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.3%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain119.9 in/yr
Elevation304 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.0%
High School+85.6%
School Score5.36

Community

2024 VoteR 45% / D 53%
Commute20 min
EV Stations9
Libraries4

Is Forks a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Forks receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Forks has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Forks is $46,389, 38% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.8%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 19.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Forks is $193,900, 31% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $878 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 483 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,093 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

22.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Forks experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 119.9 inches, including 7.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Forks has a population of 3,413 with a density of 824 people per square mile. The median age is 37.8 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (63.5%), with 14.6% Hispanic, 1.2% Black.

Population

3,413
Total Population
824
People / sq mi
37.8yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
4.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.6%
Female 54.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Forks vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only80.6%
3% above US avg
Spanish19.4%
45% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Forks vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Forks is $46,389, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 19.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Forks vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,389
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,573
Avg Weekly Wage$1,074
IRS Avg AGI$77,635

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.8%
33% above US avg
Poverty Rate19.4%
56% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,286
County GDP$3,825M

Business (County)

Restaurants232
Healthcare218
Retail244
Manufacturing69

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,769
65% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.6 min
Work from Home10.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Forks is $193,900, 31% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $878 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $333,872.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$193,900
31% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$333,872
Median List Price$487,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$487,500
$/Sq Ft$305
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio97.7%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$878
25% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,082
1 Bedroom$1,180
2 Bedrooms$1,472
3 Bedrooms$2,003
4 Bedrooms$2,351

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied50.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,769
65% above US avg
Effective Rate2.98%
In Forks, 36.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.3% report depression. 25.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.2%
13% above US avg
Diabetes11.2%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure32.5%
Asthma12.5%
COPD7.9%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.2%
Physical Inactivity25.7%
Depression28.3%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress17.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.7%
Checkup Rate64.9%
Premature Death8,715/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access78.1%
Healthcare Facilities218
Forks has a violent crime rate of 483 per 100,000 residents, 27% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,093 per 100,000 (7% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent483.1/100K
27% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape107.4/100K
Robbery53.7/100K
Assault322.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,093.4/100K
7% above US avg
Burglary617.3/100K
Theft1,422.4/100K
Vehicle Theft53.7/100K
Arson53.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Forks has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. Annual precipitation is 119.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 62°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average50.4°F
7% below US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average62°F (16°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall119.9 inches
216% above US avg
Snowfall7.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation304 ft (93 m)
Area4.1 sq mi (10.7 km²)
Population Density824/sq mi
Coordinates47.9528°N, 124.3903°W
County FIPS53009
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 22.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 7.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44.7%
D 52.6%

Winner: Democrat by 7.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.0%
35% below US avg
High School+85.6%
School Test Score5.36
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density824/sq mi
Total Area4.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations9
Alt Fuel Stations9
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities218
Restaurants232
Retail Stores244

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.6 min
Work from Home10.7%

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