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CITY

Forest City

Illinois · 211 residents (2025 est.) · 0.523 sq mi
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The short version

Forest City has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $87,813. Population has fallen 22% since 2000, a loss of 64 residents. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $86,300. The poverty rate of 28.3% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
223
−22%since 2000
from 287 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
426 / sq mi
−22%since 2000
from 549 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.1
+1%since 2000
from 35.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:211 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1892352823283751990201020202024Forest City
2024223
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$87,813
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,250 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,640
+150%since 2000
from $13,855 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
57.6%
+53.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
28.3%
+20.3 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.349
−21%since 2010
from 0.439 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information22.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade5.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance1.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$86,300
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$937
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $544 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
67.7%
−14.5 ptssince 2000
from 82.2% in 2000
32.3% rent
Vacancy rate
10.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.4%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
12.5%
−34.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.0
−7%since 2000
from 1.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
74
RELATED:See current rent listings in Forest City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.6%(283)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic90.1%(201)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(4)
Asian0%(0)
Other8.1%(18)
Diversity Score22.6%(50)
Diversity Score
23
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.7%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.6%
+17.1 ptssince 2000
from 72.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 0.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.9 min
+14%since 2000
from 26.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
83.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 84.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.4%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.7%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% 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
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
18.2%
+11.4 ptssince 2011
from 6.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
61.1%
+13.3 ptssince 2011
from 47.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.9%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
31.1%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 37.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Female
51.6%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.9%
−35.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.0%
+2.3 ptssince 2012
from 14.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.7%
−89.5 ptssince 2013
from 92.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
98.0%
+19.8 ptssince 2017
from 78.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.5%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 98.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Forest City to nearby cities

FOREST CITY VS
Canton
Income$53,254−39%
Home value$107,100+24%
Population13,297+6202%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST CITY VS
Pekin
Income$60,790−31%
Home value$120,700+40%
Population31,277+14723%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST CITY VS
Morton
Income$94,402+8%
Home value$239,400+177%
Population17,565+8225%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST CITY VS
East Peoria
Income$71,833−18%
Home value$163,500+89%
Population22,088+10368%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Forest City, Illinois?

Forest City, Illinois has about 223 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Forest City, Illinois earns about $87,813 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Forest City, Illinois expensive?

In Forest City, Illinois, the median home is worth about $86,300, and the typical rent is about $937 a month.

How educated are people in Forest City, Illinois?

About 11.7% of adults age 25 and over in Forest City, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Forest City, Illinois?

About 28.3% of people in Forest City, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Forest City, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Forest City, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 113 residents, a change of about -34 percent over that period.

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

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