Forest, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forest, Mississippi had a total population of 5,357, the 66th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $49,724, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
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 | 5,365 | 5,357 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $51,082 | $49,724 | -2.7% |
| Median home value | $129,100 | $141,100 | +9.3% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forest Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Scott County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morton | 3,656 | $41,863 | 16.1% | $84,200 |
| Hillsboro | 999 | $44,662 | 20.6% | $74,500 |
| Lake | 522 | $32,143 | 15.6% | $77,000 |
| Sebastopol | 212 | $52,500 | 13.7% | $112,500 |
| Harperville | 192 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University | 5,315 | N/A | N/A | 80.0% | N/A |
| Ripley | 5,377 | $55,444 | $117,200 | 21.7% | 20.1% |
| Pontotoc | 5,806 | $46,167 | $155,800 | 25.4% | 17.4% |
| Crystal Springs | 4,752 | $49,291 | $113,000 | 23.0% | 17.5% |
| Mississippi State | 4,655 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Population Overview
Forest is a small city located in Mississippi, within Scott County. The total population is 5,357. It ranks as the 66th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forest is 36.0 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 32.7% 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 $49,724. This is 12% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.8%. This is 79% 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 4.1%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $141,100. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Forest is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Forest is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (23.0%) is well below the state average of 55.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (36.0% vs 3.7%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.0%.
Education
19.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 73.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forest, Mississippi 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 Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi. 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, Mississippi?
Forest, Mississippi has a population of 5,357 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forest, MS?
The median household income in Forest is $49,724, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forest, MS?
The poverty rate in Forest is 33.8%. This means approximately 1,774 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forest, Mississippi?
Forest's population is 23.0% White, 37.3% Black, 36.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forest, MS?
The median home value in Forest is $141,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Forest, Mississippi?
19.9% of adults (25+) in Forest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.