Forreston, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forreston, Illinois had a total population of 1,360, the 610th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $70,676, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Forreston Quick Facts
How Forreston 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 | 1,148 | 1,360 | +18.5% |
| Median household income | $68,042 | $70,676 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $116,500 | $129,900 | +11.5% |
How Forreston 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forreston Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Ogle County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochelle | 9,529 | $66,307 | 7.9% | $164,300 |
| Oregon | 3,851 | $71,841 | 14.8% | $142,600 |
| Byron | 3,743 | $78,852 | 10.5% | $198,700 |
| Davis Junction | 2,757 | $107,833 | 8.6% | $205,500 |
| Mount Morris | 2,726 | $45,726 | 13.8% | $121,800 |
| Polo | 2,495 | $63,080 | 20.5% | $109,600 |
| Hillcrest | 1,824 | $80,568 | 9.6% | $164,200 |
| Stillman Valley | 1,260 | $87,833 | 8.6% | $175,800 |
| Lost Nation | 714 | $108,964 | 4.3% | $236,300 |
| Creston | 550 | $66,667 | 9.1% | $167,400 |
Cities Similar to Forreston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladd | 1,356 | $67,321 | $129,600 | 22.4% | 6.4% |
| Hanna City | 1,330 | $73,265 | $123,900 | 19.0% | 5.4% |
| Gridley | 1,390 | $67,250 | $141,300 | 28.1% | 5.7% |
| Mazon | 1,401 | $73,750 | $207,700 | 20.1% | 9.6% |
| Cerro Gordo | 1,349 | $77,857 | $109,200 | 19.1% | 11.0% |
Population Overview
Forreston is a small community located in Illinois, within Ogle County. The total population is 1,360. It ranks as the 610th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forreston is 40.8 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Forreston is $70,676. This is 15% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.7%. This is 51% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.8%. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $129,900. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Forreston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Forreston has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.2%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
20.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forreston, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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 Forreston, Illinois?
Forreston, Illinois has a population of 1,360 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forreston, IL?
The median household income in Forreston is $70,676, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forreston, IL?
The poverty rate in Forreston is 5.7%. This means approximately 78 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forreston, Illinois?
Forreston's population is 86.4% White, 1.8% Black, 8.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forreston, IL?
The median home value in Forreston is $129,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Forreston, Illinois?
20.6% of adults (25+) in Forreston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.