City profile · Maryland · Census ACS 2023

Forest Heights, MD

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Forest Heights - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,619
Residents
$96,434
Median income
$346,800
Median home
$2,246
Median rent (state)

Forest Heights - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Forest Heights places in the 75th percentile for household income and the 38th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

75th
percentile, household income
71st
percentile, home value
87th
percentile, median rent
38th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Forest Heights, MD

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,619 residents in Forest Heights, a small town within Maryland. Median household income here is $96,434 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.7%. Forest Heights's housing stock carries a median value of $346,800, and the median resident age is 39.7 years. 21.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 53.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Forest Heights reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1748.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Maryland carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Maryland at 105.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,246 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Maryland's average monthly utility costs around $255 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 93.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

2,619 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maryland

Median Household Income

$96,434 /yr

Poverty 2.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

105.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maryland average

How does Forest Heights compare to other US cities?

Where Forest Heights sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 75% higher than other cities
Home value 71% pricier than other cities
Median rent 87% pricier than other cities
Safety 38% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Maryland alone, Forest Heights ranks #31 of 70 Maryland cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Forest Heights against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Maryland only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Maryland-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher sits close to the middle of Maryland's city distribution

Among the 479 Maryland cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Forest Heights ranks #353 - the 26th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Forest Heights only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#237 of 445
47th percentile in Maryland
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 479
66th percentile in Maryland
Median Home Value
#242 of 450
46th percentile in Maryland
Poverty Rate
#281 of 479
40th percentile in Maryland
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#353 of 479
26th percentile in Maryland

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Maryland only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

75thIncome percentile
38thSafety percentile

75th percentile nationally for median household income · 38th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Forest Heights's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Forest Heights's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 45 Avg. percentile National median
Forest Heights's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Forest Heights's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$346,800 29th percentile more affordable than 29% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Forest Heights $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Forest Heights, MD Forest Heights, MD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Forest Heights, MD-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Forest Heights, MD median $96,434/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Forest Heights, MD's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Forest Heights, MD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,619
Median Income
$96,434
Median Home Value
$346,800
Median Age
39.7
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Labor force participation
53.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1748.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
466.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1282.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,560 residents2,580 residents2,600 residents2,620 residents2,640 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,622 residents 2,618 residents ▼ -0.2%
Forest Heights's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
66.6%
Carpool
12.8%
Public Transit
2.6%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
13.9%
Other
4.1%

Based on 1,095 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Maryland - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$255
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Maryland state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Maryland state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Forest Heights sits in

Cost of Living Index
105.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,246/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maryland

Jarrettsville
2,629 people
Braddock Heights
2,606 people
Huntingtown
2,634 people
University Park
2,636 people
Paramount-Long Meadow
2,660 people
Greensboro
2,563 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Forest Heights's 2,619 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Silver Creek, NY
2,619 people
Deatsville, AL
2,618 people
Floydada, TX
2,618 people
Westworth, TX
2,618 people
Dora, AL
2,617 people
Sylvania, GA
2,621 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Forest Heights's $96,434 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Goshen, KY
$96,429 median income
Walker Valley, NY
$96,429 median income
Miami, IN
$96,442 median income
Norcross, MN
$96,442 median income
Brinckerhoff, NY
$96,444 median income
Choctaw, OK
$96,446 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Forest Heights, MD Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Forest Heights, MD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 21.0% 48.6% 19.1% 8.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 32.0% White 21.0% Black or African American 48.6% Asian 2.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 19.1% Two or more races 8.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Forest Heights compares to nearby Maryland cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Forest Heights (this city) 2,619 $96,434
Jarrettsville 2,629 $161,510
Braddock Heights 2,606 $114,750
Huntingtown 2,634 $177,870
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MD FBI UCR OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Forest Heights, MD?

What is the population of Forest Heights, MD? +

The population of Forest Heights, MD stands at 2,619 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Forest Heights, MD? +

Median annual household income in Forest Heights runs $96,434, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Forest Heights? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Forest Heights; the closest available measure is the Maryland state average, a cost of living index of 105.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Maryland vary by metro area.

Is Forest Heights, MD safe? +

Forest Heights has a total crime rate of 1748.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Forest Heights, MD? +

Homes in Forest Heights carry a median value of $346,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.