County · Pennsylvania
Forest County, Pennsylvania
Forest County, Pennsylvania. Forest County had 6,614 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.3% since 2020, while Pennsylvania grew 0.4%. It holds 10 places (1 city, village or borough, 8 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 42053.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,614
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,973 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,715
Median household income
$52,191
±$3,237 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971
Median home value
$115,300
±$8,976 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500
Median gross rent
$817
±$42 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209
How many people live in Forest County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,973 residents in Forest County. The Census Bureau estimates 6,614 for July 1, 2025, down 5.3% since 2020, while Pennsylvania grew 0.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,715 over 427 square miles of land.
| Measure | Forest County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,715 | 13,018,639 | −598 |
| Households | 1,920±90 | 5,274,853 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.24±0.10 | 2.39 | +0.27 |
| Housing units | 6,937±43 | 5,806,452 | −1,671 |
Forest County's population since 2000
From 4,946 in 2000 to 6,614 in 2025: up 33.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Forest County?
Forest County holds 10 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place), 8 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Jenks Township with 3,662 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Jenks Township | 3,858 | $51,865 |
|---|---|---|
| Marienville | 3,362 | $52,029 |
| Tionesta Township | 668 | $52,292 |
| Harmony Township, Forest County | 468 | $63,000 |
| Tionesta | 428 | $54,531 |
| Hickory Township, Forest County | 413 | $46,406 |
| Green Township, Forest County | 376 | $54,375 |
| Barnett Township, Forest County | 309 | $53,056 |
| Kingsley Township | 259 | $63,750 |
| Howe Township, Forest CountyGEOID 4205335992 | 194 | $54,375 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Forest County?
The median resident of Forest County is 48.7 years old; 3.7% are under 18 and 25.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 13.7%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Forest County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.7±0.8 | 40.9 | +5.4 |
| Under 18 years | 3.7%±1.0 pts | 20.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.0%±0.4 pts | 19.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.1% | 8.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 78.3%±2.0 pts | 73.0% | +11.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 13.7%±2.1 pts | 10.3% | −11.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.8 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.8 pts | 7.7% | +1.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.2%±1.1 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.8%±1.8 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 22.4%±2.5 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.4%±1.9 pts | 5.6% | +2.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.2%±2.1 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.3%±1.8 pts | 35.2% | +4.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.6%±0.7 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Forest County earn?
Half of Forest County's 1,920 households earn less than $52,191 a year (±$3,237), against $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 it was $48,879 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Forest County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,191±$3,237 | $77,971 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $64,867±$3,527 | $107,538 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,303±$1,728 | $44,355 | +$5,541 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.9%±2.3 pts | 11.7% | −6.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.9%±13.1 pts | 15.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.0%±2.6 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 74.8%±2.8 pts | 89.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Forest County?
Owners occupy 78.3% of Forest County's occupied homes and renters 21.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $115,300 by its owner (±$8,976). The median renter pays $817 a month including utilities, and 19.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Forest County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $115,300±$8,976 | $254,500 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $817±$42 | $1,209 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 19.3%±8.4 pts | 39.5% | −28.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,009±$93 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.3%±3.3 pts | 69.3% | −5.6 pts |
| Housing units | 6,937±43 | 5,806,452 | −1,671 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.6%±2.7 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 83.4%±1.5 pts | 56.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 14.1%±1.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.5%±1.4 pts | 25.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Forest County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Forest County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Forest County get to work?
74.9% of Forest County's workers drive alone and 13.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.5%.
| Measure | Forest County | Pennsylvania | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 29.3%±2.1 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5%±0.8 pts | 5.3% | −2.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 74.9%±5.1 pts | 68.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0%±2.2 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.8 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±0.7 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.3%±5.0 pts | 15.6% | +8.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.0 min±2.3 | 26.3 min | −5.3 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Forest County's census tracts?
Forest County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $52,019 (Tract 5301) to $53,021 (Tract 5302).
| Tract 530142053530100 | 4,163±101 | $52,019 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 530242053530200 | 2,552±101 | $53,021 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Forest County compare with Pennsylvania's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 65th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 65th of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 64th of 67 |
| Median household income | 66th of 67 |
| Median home value | 65th of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 45th of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 31st of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 67th of 67 |
| Median age | 5th of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Forest County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.