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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2020 ACS

Forrest City Micro

Forrest City, AR · 1 counties · 23,090 residents · 634.784 sq mi
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The short version

Forrest City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,053. Population has fallen 21% since 2000, a loss of 6,239 residents. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $65,200. The poverty rate of 28.4% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 14%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,090
−21%since 2000
from 29,329 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
36 / sq mi
−21%since 2000
from 46 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.2
+25%since 2000
from 33.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
22K24K26K28K30K1990201020202024Forrest City
202422K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,053
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,146 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,743
+58%since 2000
from $12,483 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
17.3%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
28.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 27.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade13.7%
US avg: 10%
Information11.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade10.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction6.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing4%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$65,200
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$688
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $403 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
56.0%
−7.3 ptssince 2000
from 63.2% in 2000
44.0% rent
Afford Score
1.8
−7%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Forrest City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic45.1%(13,224)
Black48.7%(14,273)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(1,431)
Asian0.5%(161)
Other0%
Diversity Score68.8%(20,168)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic39.9%(9,206)
Black54.1%(12,501)
Hispanic / Latino3%(686)
Asian0.5%(122)
Other1.9%(438)
Diversity Score67.7%(15,621)
Segregation Score35.5%(8,189)
Diversity Score
68
−2%since 2000
from 69 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
35
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.9%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.4%
+16.2 ptssince 2000
from 65.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.5 min
+11%since 2000
from 16.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 85.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
13.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.0%
−7.2 ptssince 2011
from 13.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
45.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2011
from 45.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.1%
−36.3 ptssince 2009
from 62.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
56.0%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Female
44.0%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Foreign born
3.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.9%
−71.6 ptssince 2013
from 81.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
In this metro

Principal cities

Forrest CityCENTRAL12,308
What's inside

1 component county

St. Francis CountyCENTRAL21,800
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Forrest City

Cordele
Pop 19,237
Fitzgerald
Pop 17,099
Clarksdale
Pop 19,849
Eufaula
Pop 26,861
Places similar to Forrest City
Head to head

Compare Forrest City side by side

FORREST CITY VS
Cordele
Income$45,105+25%
Home value$140,200+115%
Population19,237−12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORREST CITY VS
Fitzgerald
Income$41,758+16%
Home value$112,700+73%
Population17,099−22%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORREST CITY VS
Clarksdale
Income$37,461+4%
Home value$90,300+38%
Population19,849−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORREST CITY VS
Eufaula
Income$45,549+26%
Home value$112,202+72%
Population26,861+23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Forrest City, AR?

Forrest City, AR has about 23,090 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Forrest City, AR?

The typical household in Forrest City, AR earns about $36,053 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Forrest City, AR expensive?

In Forrest City, AR, the median home is worth about $65,200, and the typical rent is about $688 a month.

How educated are people in Forrest City, AR?

About 10.9% of adults age 25 and over in Forrest City, AR hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Forrest City, AR?

About 28.4% of people in Forrest City, AR live below the federal poverty line.

Has Forrest City, AR grown since 1990?

Yes, Forrest City, AR has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 5,407 residents, a change of about -19 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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