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CITY · 2020 ACS

Forest City

Iowa · 4,285 residents · 4.588 sq mi
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The short version

Forest City has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $51,280. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $91,500.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,285
−2%since 2000
from 4,362 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
934 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 951 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.2
+3%since 2000
from 35.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K4K1990201020202024Forest City
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,280
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,031 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,763
+30%since 2000
from $18,285 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
29.3%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.2%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade27.2%
US avg: 10%
Information15.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade2.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$91,500
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$578
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $346 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
68.1%
−4.3 ptssince 2000
from 72.4% in 2000
31.9% rent
Afford Score
1.8
+12%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic84.2%(3,610)
Black3.8%(162)
Hispanic / Latino6.2%(266)
Asian1.8%(77)
Other1.5%(63)
Diversity Score30.9%(1,325)
Diversity Score
31
+157%since 2000
from 12 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.4%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 22.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.4%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 85.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.8 min
+51%since 2000
from 9.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.0%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 77.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.6%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.3%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 6.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2011
from 70.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
23.8%
−41.5 ptssince 2009
from 65.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Foreign born
3.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.0%
−93.4 ptssince 2013
from 96.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Forest City to nearby cities

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FOREST CITY VS
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FOREST CITY VS
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FOREST CITY VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Forest City, Iowa?

Forest City, Iowa has about 4,285 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Forest City, Iowa earns about $51,280 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 $578 a month.

How educated are people in Forest City, Iowa?

About 24.4% 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 8.2% 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 144 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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

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