Forrest City, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forrest City, Arkansas had a total population of 12,646, the 33rd largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $35,689, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.5% is notably above the national average.
Forrest City Quick Facts
How Forrest City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,826 | 12,646 | -1.4% |
| Median household income | $33,522 | $35,689 | +6.5% |
| Median home value | $87,800 | $92,000 | +4.8% |
How Forrest City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forrest City Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in St. Francis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hughes | 886 | $43,250 | 41.6% | $69,800 |
| Palestine | 800 | $36,090 | 27.6% | $67,900 |
| Colt | 510 | $22,188 | 46.5% | $93,800 |
| Madison | 476 | $55,893 | 24.2% | $120,400 |
| Caldwell | 441 | $68,375 | 7.7% | $123,500 |
| Wheatley | 374 | $66,607 | 3.7% | $170,800 |
| Widener | 238 | $45,938 | 8.8% | $41,800 |
| Goodwin | 56 | N/A | 0.0% | $87,500 |
Cities Similar to Forrest City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Home | 13,108 | $41,274 | $169,800 | 23.1% | 18.9% |
| Blytheville | 12,790 | $47,865 | $119,000 | 16.8% | 24.2% |
| Harrison | 13,350 | $44,056 | $169,600 | 15.4% | 14.9% |
| Malvern | 10,953 | $46,250 | $104,500 | 12.9% | 20.2% |
| Batesville | 11,445 | $51,856 | $163,600 | 21.8% | 26.3% |
Population Overview
Forrest City is a small city located in Arkansas, within St. Francis County. The total population is 12,646. It ranks as the 33rd most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forrest City is 36.9 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Forrest City is $35,689. This is 41% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.7%. This is 136% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 13.5%. This is 172% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $92,000. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Forrest City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 39.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Forrest City is Black or African American, making up 73.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (20.8%) is well below the state average of 67.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (73.1% vs 14.6%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
13.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 25.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forrest City, Arkansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Forrest City, Arkansas?
Forrest City, Arkansas has a population of 12,646 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forrest City, AR?
The median household income in Forrest City is $35,689, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forrest City, AR?
The poverty rate in Forrest City is 37.7%. This means approximately 3,672 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forrest City, Arkansas?
Forrest City's population is 20.8% White, 73.1% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forrest City, AR?
The median home value in Forrest City is $92,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Forrest City, Arkansas?
13.8% of adults (25+) in Forrest City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.