Forest Hills, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forest Hills, Michigan had a total population of 28,695, the 39th largest community in Michigan, with a median household income of $158,005, which is 117% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 117% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Michigan.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.0% — among the lowest in Michigan.
- 70.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Michigan.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
Forest Hills Quick Facts
How Forest Hills 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 | 28,494 | 28,695 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $156,618 | $158,005 | +0.9% |
| Median home value | $474,800 | $498,500 | +5.0% |
How Forest Hills 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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forest Hills Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Kent County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids | 198,535 | $69,108 | 16.9% | $244,500 |
| Wyoming | 77,353 | $73,677 | 10.5% | $225,200 |
| Kentwood | 54,296 | $74,373 | 10.4% | $268,200 |
| Walker | 25,386 | $76,360 | 7.6% | $295,200 |
| Cutlerville | 18,780 | $67,327 | 10.3% | $222,600 |
| Grandville | 16,356 | $78,442 | 7.3% | $271,300 |
| Northview | 15,268 | $85,403 | 9.1% | $289,300 |
| East Grand Rapids | 11,445 | $166,610 | 3.6% | $521,300 |
| Comstock Park | 10,577 | $59,984 | 11.8% | $235,300 |
| Byron Center | 7,403 | $122,553 | 2.3% | $384,400 |
Cities Similar to Forest Hills
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 21,763 | $153,510 | $698,300 | 76.8% | 5.1% |
| Okemos | 26,396 | $102,612 | $359,200 | 72.8% | 14.5% |
| Allen Park | 27,925 | $81,655 | $183,700 | 31.0% | 6.9% |
| Oak Park | 29,318 | $71,510 | $212,300 | 37.1% | 12.0% |
| Madison Heights | 28,419 | $69,503 | $199,100 | 33.9% | 10.8% |
Population Overview
Forest Hills is a mid-sized community located in Michigan, within Kent County. The total population is 28,695. It ranks as the 39th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forest Hills is 42.3 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. With 29.2% of the population under 18, Forest Hills has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Forest Hills is $158,005. This is 117% higher than the state median of $72,875. It is also 96% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.0%. This is 77% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 82% lower than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $498,500. Housing costs are 115% higher than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 94.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Forest Hills has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.0% of all residents. Asian residents account for 5.0%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 13.1%.
Education
70.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Forest Hills in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 118% higher than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.5%. Notably, 30.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forest Hills, Michigan 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 Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. 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 Hills, Michigan?
Forest Hills, Michigan has a population of 28,695 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forest Hills, MI?
The median household income in Forest Hills is $158,005, which is 96% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forest Hills, MI?
The poverty rate in Forest Hills is 3.0%. This means approximately 856 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forest Hills, Michigan?
Forest Hills's population is 87.0% White, 0.3% Black, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forest Hills, MI?
The median home value in Forest Hills is $498,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Forest Hills, Michigan?
70.9% of adults (25+) in Forest Hills hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.