Forest, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forest, Louisiana had a total population of 486, the 361st largest village in Louisiana, with a median household income of $40,347, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 20.7% is notably above the national average.
Forest Quick Facts
How Forest 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 | 336 | 486 | +44.6% |
| Median household income | $45,625 | $40,347 | -11.6% |
| Median home value | $95,000 | $43,300 | -54.4% |
How Forest 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: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forest Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in West Carroll Parish
Cities Similar to Forest
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke | 482 | N/A | $169,600 | 13.4% | 6.6% |
| Napoleonville | 511 | N/A | N/A | 5.3% | 55.0% |
| Point Place | 476 | $37,429 | $253,600 | 21.9% | 4.6% |
| Converse | 455 | N/A | $82,000 | 15.8% | 22.6% |
| Longville | 454 | $40,272 | $422,800 | 17.8% | 7.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 486, Forest's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Forest is a small community located in Louisiana, within West Carroll Parish. The total population is 486. It ranks as the 361st most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forest is 24.0 years. This is 37% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 34.8% of the population under 18, Forest has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Forest is $40,347. This is 34% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.2%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 20.7%. This is 229% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $43,300. Housing costs are 80% lower than the state median of $216,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Forest is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Forest has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (86.8% vs 55.7%). The Black or African American population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 30.5%.
Education
7.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forest, Louisiana 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 Louisiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana. 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 Forest, Louisiana?
Forest, Louisiana has a population of 486 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forest, LA?
The median household income in Forest is $40,347, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forest, LA?
The poverty rate in Forest is 20.2%. This means approximately 98 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forest, Louisiana?
Forest's population is 86.8% White, 4.3% Black, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forest, LA?
The median home value in Forest is $43,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Forest, Louisiana?
7.1% of adults (25+) in Forest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.