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CITY · 2020 ACS

Forest

Mississippi · 5,430 residents · 13.079 sq mi
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The short version

Forest has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,382. Population has declined 9% since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $98,500. At a median age of 31.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 31.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,430
−9%since 2000
from 5,987 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
415 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 458 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
31.1
−4%since 2000
from 32.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K6K6K6K1990201020202024Forest
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,382
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,638 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,488
+18%since 2000
from $16,484 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.8%
+13.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
28.5%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 23.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade24%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade10.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Information9.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$98,500
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $49,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$604
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $360 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
53.9%
−9.3 ptssince 2000
from 63.3% in 2000
46.1% rent
Afford Score
2.3
+17%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Forest on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic35.7%(2,136)
Black50.1%(3,002)
Hispanic / Latino12.7%(761)
Asian0.4%(26)
Other0%
Diversity Score74.6%(4,466)
2020
White, non-Hispanic20.7%(1,123)
Black42.7%(2,319)
Hispanic / Latino33.9%(1,841)
Asian0.7%(39)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score80.7%(4,384)
Diversity Score
81
+8%since 2000
from 75 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
75.0%
+12.1 ptssince 2000
from 62.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.3 min
+69%since 2000
from 13.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
61.6%
−16.5 ptssince 2009
from 78.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
19.6%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.8%
+4.1 ptssince 2011
from 4.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
51.2%
−7.4 ptssince 2011
from 58.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.6%
−23.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Female
46.2%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Foreign born
18.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
25.2%
−50.7 ptssince 2013
from 75.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Forest to nearby cities

FOREST VS
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FOREST VS
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FOREST VS
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FOREST VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Forest, Mississippi?

Forest, Mississippi has about 5,430 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Forest, Mississippi?

The typical household in Forest, Mississippi earns about $43,382 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Forest, Mississippi expensive?

In Forest, Mississippi, the median home is worth about $98,500, and the typical rent is about $604 a month.

How educated are people in Forest, Mississippi?

About 12.5% of adults age 25 and over in Forest, Mississippi hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Forest, Mississippi?

About 28.5% of people in Forest, Mississippi live below the federal poverty line.

Has Forest, Mississippi grown since 1990?

Yes, Forest, Mississippi has grown since 1990. The population has added about 370 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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

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