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CITY · 2010 ACS

Forest City

Iowa · 4,151 residents · 4.588 sq mi
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The short version

Forest City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,250. Population has declined 5% since 2000. Median home value is $91,500.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 37.2
Average education
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,151
−5%since 2000
from 4,362 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
905 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 951 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
38.6
+10%since 2000
from 35.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K4K1990201020202024Forest City
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,250
−23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,031 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,028
+15%since 2000
from $18,285 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
18.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
13.2%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.412
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade30.1%
US avg: 10.9%
Information9.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 7%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food3.5%
US avg: 2.4%
Wholesale trade2.9%
US avg: 7.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.4%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 3.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$91,500
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,600 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$409
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $346 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
42.5%
−29.9 ptssince 2000
from 72.4% in 2000
29.8% rent
Vacancy rate
7.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
26.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 26.8% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
20.1%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.3
+47%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Forest City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.3%(4,113)
Black0.6%(25)
Hispanic / Latino3.3%(142)
Asian1.1%(50)
Other0%
Diversity Score12.1%(526)
2010
White, non-Hispanic92.9%(3,856)
Black1.5%(63)
Hispanic / Latino3%(124)
Asian1.2%(49)
Other0.4%(17)
Diversity Score14.8%(612)
Diversity Score
15
+22%since 2000
from 12 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.2%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 22.2% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
92.8%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 85.9% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
8.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
10.3 min
+5%since 2000
from 9.8 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
78.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 77.0% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
7.6%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.3% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
7.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
12.2%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
17.0%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
34.4%
−30.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Female
52.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Foreign born
4.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
7.4%
−42.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare Forest City to nearby cities

FOREST CITY VS
Mason City
Income$64,804+65%
Home value$142,000+55%
Population26,853+548%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST CITY VS
Albert Lea
Income$64,603+65%
Home value$157,500+72%
Population18,217+340%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST CITY VS
Austin
Income$68,057+73%
Home value$163,900+79%
Population26,689+544%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST CITY VS
Fairmont
Income$53,084+35%
Home value$169,900+86%
Population10,099+144%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Forest City, Iowa?

Forest City, Iowa has about 4,151 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Forest City, Iowa earns about $39,250 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 $91,500, and the typical rent is about $409 a month.

How educated are people in Forest City, Iowa?

About 26.2% 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 13.2% 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 278 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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

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