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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Forest City

Iowa · 4,362 residents · 4.588 sq mi
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The short version

Forest City has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $40,031. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value is $63,600.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 35.2
US median: 35.2
Average education
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,362
−2%since 1990
from 4,429 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
951 / sq mi
−2%since 1990
from 965 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
35.2
+13%since 1990
from 31.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K4K1990201020202024Forest City
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,031
+26%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $24,201 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,285
+70%since 1990
from $10,773 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
9.7%
+0.1 ptssince 1990
from 9.6% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$63,600
+11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $43,600 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$346
−10%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $292 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
72.4%
+1.0 ptssince 1990
from 71.4% in 1990
27.6% rent
Afford Score
1.6
−12%since 1990
from 1.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Forest City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic96.8%(4,287)
Black0.5%(24)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(29)
Asian2.5%(110)
Diversity Score9.3%(413)
2000
White, non-Hispanic94.3%(4,113)
Black0.6%(25)
Hispanic / Latino3.3%(142)
Asian1.1%(50)
Diversity Score12.1%(526)
Diversity Score
12
+29%since 1990
from 9 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.2%
+2.0 ptssince 1990
from 20.2% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
85.9%
+2.9 ptssince 1990
from 83.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
7.0%
+2.6 ptssince 1990
from 4.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
9.8 min
−12%since 1990
from 11.2 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Forest City

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Pop 3,974
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Head to head

Compare Forest City to nearby cities

FOREST CITY VS
Mason City
Income$64,804+62%
Home value$142,000+123%
Population26,853+548%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST CITY VS
Albert Lea
Income$64,603+61%
Home value$157,500+148%
Population18,217+340%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST CITY VS
Austin
Income$68,057+70%
Home value$163,900+158%
Population26,689+544%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST CITY VS
Fairmont
Income$53,084+33%
Home value$169,900+167%
Population10,099+144%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Forest City, Iowa?

Forest City, Iowa has about 4,362 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Forest City, Iowa?

The typical household in Forest City, Iowa earns about $40,031 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Forest City, Iowa expensive?

In Forest City, Iowa, the median home is worth about $63,600, and the typical rent is about $346 a month.

How educated are people in Forest City, Iowa?

About 22.2% of adults age 25 and over in Forest City, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Forest City, Iowa?

About 9.7% of people in Forest City, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Forest City, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Forest City, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 67 residents, a change of about -2 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 →