Forest Heights, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forest Heights, Maryland had a total population of 2,642, the 259th largest town in Maryland, with a median household income of $98,734, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.3% is notably above the national average.
Forest Heights Quick Facts
How Forest Heights 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 | 2,619 | 2,642 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $96,434 | $98,734 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $346,800 | $371,700 | +7.2% |
How Forest Heights 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forest Heights Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Prince George's County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowie | 57,926 | $141,995 | 3.8% | $459,300 |
| Clinton | 38,376 | $124,803 | 7.7% | $431,400 |
| Chillum | 34,871 | $79,864 | 12.4% | $393,600 |
| College Park | 34,540 | $69,721 | 33.2% | $437,900 |
| Laurel | 29,798 | $100,504 | 9.0% | $385,500 |
| South Laurel | 29,272 | $88,933 | 11.8% | $458,100 |
| Fort Washington | 25,134 | $143,333 | 5.3% | $480,100 |
| Greenbelt | 24,678 | $85,997 | 19.1% | $255,400 |
| Landover | 24,514 | $72,100 | 19.5% | $313,900 |
| Suitland | 23,793 | $71,585 | 13.5% | $334,800 |
Cities Similar to Forest Heights
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solomons | 2,440 | $94,963 | $436,800 | 41.8% | 0.6% |
| Rising Sun | 2,764 | $85,563 | $309,100 | 25.7% | 13.1% |
| Paramount-Long Meadow | 2,569 | $122,262 | $374,200 | 40.0% | 2.9% |
| Emmitsburg | 2,845 | $81,250 | $324,300 | 28.5% | 11.6% |
| Smithsburg | 3,115 | $100,673 | $337,500 | 27.0% | 15.7% |
Population Overview
Forest Heights is a small community located in Maryland, within Prince George's County. The total population is 2,642. It ranks as the 259th most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forest Heights is 39.1 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Forest Heights is $98,734. This is 5% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 22% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.6%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. The unemployment rate is 10.3%. This is 111% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $371,700. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $419,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 93.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Forest Heights is Black or African American, making up 45.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (20.5%) is well below the state average of 46.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.7% vs 28.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (30.2% vs 12.5%). The Asian population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 6.5%.
Education
25.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forest Heights, Maryland 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 Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 527 Census-designated places in Maryland. 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 Heights, Maryland?
Forest Heights, Maryland has a population of 2,642 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forest Heights, MD?
The median household income in Forest Heights is $98,734, which is 22% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forest Heights, MD?
The poverty rate in Forest Heights is 5.6%. This means approximately 147 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forest Heights, Maryland?
Forest Heights's population is 20.5% White, 45.7% Black, 30.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forest Heights, MD?
The median home value in Forest Heights is $371,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Forest Heights, Maryland?
25.4% of adults (25+) in Forest Heights hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.