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CITY

Forrest City

Arkansas · 12,308 residents (2025 est.) · 20.245 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#46Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-15.3%
The short version

Forrest City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $35,689. Population has declined 14% since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $92,000. The poverty rate of 37.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 41% less than the Arkansas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 10%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,646
−14%since 2000
from 14,774 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
625 / sq mi
−14%since 2000
from 730 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.9
+14%since 2000
from 32.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:12,308 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
12K13K14K15K16K1990201020202024Forrest City
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,689
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,111 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,688
+42%since 2000
from $11,716 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
18.5%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
37.7%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 33.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.504
+3%since 2010
from 0.490 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information15.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade12.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance8.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services0.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$92,000
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $56,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$805
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $426 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
39.2%
−11.9 ptssince 2000
from 51.1% in 2000
60.8% rent
Vacancy rate
16.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.5%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 28.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
54.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
+6%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
29
RELATED:See current rent listings in Forrest City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic29.6%(4,370)
Black60.5%(8,934)
Hispanic / Latino8.3%(1,221)
Asian0.7%(108)
Other0%
Diversity Score66.4%(9,807)
2024
White, non-Hispanic20.8%(2,633)
Black73.1%(9,249)
Hispanic / Latino4.8%(609)
Asian0.2%(23)
Other1%(132)
Diversity Score52.4%(6,628)
Diversity Score
52
−21%since 2000
from 66 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.9%
+19.4 ptssince 2000
from 65.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.4 min
+6%since 2000
from 15.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.2%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 85.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.1%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.6%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
17.8%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.5%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 13.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
39.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2011
from 38.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.3%
−8.7 ptssince 2009
from 26.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.6%
−34.0 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
58.6%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 56.7% in 2009
Female
41.4%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 43.3% in 2009
Foreign born
3.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.8%
−54.2 ptssince 2009
from 58.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
24.3%
+5.5 ptssince 2012
from 18.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.7%
−70.8 ptssince 2013
from 81.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.4%
+33.8 ptssince 2017
from 50.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.7%
+4.7 ptssince 2016
from 91.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.2%
−2.7 ptssince 2016
from 5.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Forrest City to nearby cities

FORREST CITY VS
Helena-West Helena
Income$36,019+1%
Home value$73,200−20%
Population8,216−33%
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FORREST CITY VS
West Memphis
Income$42,674+20%
Home value$120,100+31%
Population23,336+90%
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FORREST CITY VS
Marion
Income$78,330+119%
Home value$212,400+131%
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FORREST CITY VS
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Income$53,311+49%
Home value$171,400+86%
Population26,741+117%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Forrest City, Arkansas?

Forrest City, Arkansas has about 12,646 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Forrest City, Arkansas?

The typical household in Forrest City, Arkansas earns about $35,689 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Forrest City, Arkansas expensive?

In Forrest City, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $92,000, and the typical rent is about $805 a month.

How educated are people in Forrest City, Arkansas?

About 13.8% of adults age 25 and over in Forrest City, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Forrest City, Arkansas?

About 37.7% of people in Forrest City, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Forrest City, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Forrest City, Arkansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 718 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →