City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Forest City, NC

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

7,368
Residents
$35,897
Median income
$142,100
Median home
$925
Median rent (state)

Forest City - the verdict

Nationally, Forest City sits in the 5th percentile for household income and the 2nd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

5th
percentile, household income
24th
percentile, home value
7th
percentile, median rent
2nd
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 City, NC

North Carolina's Forest City is a small town, with 7,368 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Forest City brings in $35,897 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 29.6%. Home values in Forest City run a median of $142,100, and the median resident age is 34.8 years. Educational attainment runs 17.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 52.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 25 residential building permits were authorized in Forest City (Building Boom), up 178% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Forest City's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 5817.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 58.7°F with 52.1 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts North Carolina at 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $925 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 72.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

7,368 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$35,897 /yr

Poverty 29.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Forest City compare to other US cities?

Here's how Forest City stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 5% higher than other cities
Home value 24% pricier than other cities
Median rent 7% pricier than other cities
Safety 2% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just North Carolina and the picture shifts: Forest City ranks #181 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

North Carolina-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Forest City near the bottom of North Carolina's cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Forest City ranks #552 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Forest City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#631 of 700
10th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#552 of 746
0th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#497 of 708
30th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#62 of 746
92nd percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#480 of 746
35th percentile in North Carolina

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 North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

5thIncome percentile
2ndSafety percentile

5th percentile nationally for median household income · 2nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Forest City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Forest City'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 31 Avg. percentile National median
Forest City'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 City's home value compares nationally

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

$142,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 76% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $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 City $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 City, NC Forest City, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Forest City, NC-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 City, NC median $35,897/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 City, NC'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 City, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 29.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.4%

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

Population
7,368
Median Income
$35,897
Median Home Value
$142,100
Median Age
34.8
Poverty Rate
29.6%
Labor force participation
52.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5817.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
527.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
5290.2
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
58.7°F
Annual Precipitation
52.1"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
7,300 residents7,350 residents7,400 residents7,450 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,355 residents 7,410 residents ▲ +0.7%
Forest City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
25
housing units authorized
Single-Family
25
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 9
2020 15
2021 7
2022 18
2023 24
2024 25

Permit volume increased 178% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.0%
Carpool
10.2%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
4.7%

Based on 2,705 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina 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 North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Forest City sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$925/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
72.7 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

King
7,345 people
Cullowhee
7,300 people
Mills River
7,214 people
Marion
7,594 people
Porters Neck
7,102 people
Oak Ridge
7,660 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Forest City's 7,368 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Oroville East, CA
7,369 people
Gorham, ME
7,365 people
Gridley, CA
7,372 people
Bremen, GA
7,364 people
Woodlake, VA
7,373 people
McCook, NE
7,360 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Forest City's $35,897 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Adel, GA
$35,897 median income
Ware Shoals, SC
$35,896 median income
Cannelton, IN
$35,900 median income
Cypress Quarters, FL
$35,893 median income
Bridger, MT
$35,893 median income
Summerton, SC
$35,893 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Forest City, NC 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 City, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 57.6% 25.0% 8.1% 7.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.8% White 57.6% Black or African American 25.0% Asian 1.6% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.1% Two or more races 7.5% 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 City compares to nearby North Carolina 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 City (this city) 7,368 $35,897
King 7,345 $60,451
Cullowhee 7,300 $35,076
Mills River 7,214 $88,359
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Forest City, NC?

What is the population of Forest City, NC? +

Forest City, NC has a population of 7,368 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Forest City, NC? +

In Forest City, the typical household earns $35,897 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Forest City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Forest City; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Forest City, NC safe? +

Forest City has a total crime rate of 5817.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 City, NC? +

The median home value in Forest City is $142,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Forest City? +

Forest City has an average annual temperature of 58.7°F, 52.1 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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.