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CITY · 2020 ACS

Forest

Virginia · 11,709 residents · 13.6 sq mi
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The short version

Forest is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $76,101. Population has grown 46% since 2000. 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $248,000. Poverty is rare here, at 4.6% of residents.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.7
US median: 38.8
More educated
46% 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
11,709
+46%since 2000
from 8,006 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
861 / sq mi
+46%since 2000
from 589 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.7
+11%since 2000
from 37.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K7K10K12K14K1990201020202024Forest
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$76,101
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $55,089 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,036
+59%since 2000
from $25,735 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
53.1%
+16.4 ptssince 2009
from 36.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade14%
US avg: 10%
Information10.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services5.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade3.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance2.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$248,000
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $135,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$909
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $447 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
70.1%
−11.4 ptssince 2000
from 81.5% in 2000
29.9% rent
Afford Score
3.3
+33%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Forest on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.1%(7,294)
Black5.6%(451)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(76)
Asian1.4%(109)
Other0%
Diversity Score18.8%(1,506)
2020
White, non-Hispanic81.6%(9,553)
Black6.7%(786)
Hispanic / Latino4%(474)
Asian3.4%(393)
Other6.8%(797)
Diversity Score44.4%(5,200)
Diversity Score
44
+136%since 2000
from 19 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
46.2%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 39.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 94.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
19.4%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 13.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.7 min
+70%since 2000
from 11.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.7%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 87.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2011
from 3.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
59.6%
−9.2 ptssince 2011
from 68.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
48.3%
−20.5 ptssince 2009
from 68.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
50.9%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
7.8%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.9%
−88.8 ptssince 2013
from 93.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Forest

Pasadena Hills
Pop 13,505
Gonzalez
Pop 14,458
Key Largo
Pop 13,026
Fruitville
Pop 15,172
Places similar to Forest
Head to head

Compare Forest to nearby cities

FOREST VS
Timberlake
Income$75,657−1%
Home value$235,900−5%
Population12,725−5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST VS
Lynchburg
Income$57,947−24%
Home value$229,800−7%
Population81,347+506%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST VS
Madison Heights
Income$60,215−21%
Home value$191,300−23%
Population10,266−24%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOREST VS
Hollins
Income$77,456+2%
Home value$244,300−1%
Population17,097+27%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Forest, Virginia?

Forest, Virginia has about 11,709 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Forest, Virginia?

The typical household in Forest, Virginia earns about $76,101 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Forest, Virginia expensive?

In Forest, Virginia, the median home is worth about $248,000, and the typical rent is about $909 a month.

How educated are people in Forest, Virginia?

About 46.2% of adults age 25 and over in Forest, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Forest, Virginia?

About 4.6% of people in Forest, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Forest, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Forest, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,085 residents, a change of about 108 percent over that period.

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

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