Forest city, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Forest city is a small city located in Mississippi. The total population is 5,365. It ranks as the 67th most populous out of 419 cities and towns in Mississippi.

Age Demographics

The median age in Forest city is 38.2 years. This is about average than the state median of 38.4 years. With 28.5% of the population under 18, Forest city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Forest city is $51,082. This is 7% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.2%. This is 22% higher than the state poverty rate of 19.1%. 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 6.5%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $129,100. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $161,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Forest city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 69.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Forest city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 29.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (24.8%) is well below the state average of 55.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (29.2% vs 3.6%).

Education

14.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 24.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 67.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Forest city, Mississippi is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 419 Census-designated places in Mississippi. For official data, visit data.census.gov.