Forestville, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forestville, New York had a total population of 721, the 943rd largest community in New York. The poverty rate is 9.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 11.4% is notably above the national average.
Forestville Quick Facts
How Forestville 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 | 625 | 721 | +15.4% |
| Median home value | $95,400 | $97,000 | +1.7% |
How Forestville 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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forestville Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Chautauqua County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamestown | 28,188 | $43,523 | 25.3% | $87,700 |
| Dunkirk | 12,549 | $53,299 | 24.3% | $94,700 |
| Fredonia | 9,467 | $50,433 | 25.2% | $192,500 |
| Westfield | 3,185 | $46,774 | 15.3% | $102,600 |
| Lakewood | 2,957 | $67,557 | 11.6% | $158,500 |
| Silver Creek | 2,604 | $63,854 | 21.5% | $125,400 |
| Jamestown West | 2,424 | $54,250 | 9.5% | $146,000 |
| Falconer | 2,149 | $60,056 | 10.9% | $98,400 |
| Frewsburg | 1,792 | $75,536 | 8.4% | $142,800 |
| Brocton | 1,404 | $58,500 | 24.6% | $110,100 |
Cities Similar to Forestville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown | 721 | $64,583 | $188,100 | 31.0% | 16.0% |
| Pine Valley | 721 | N/A | N/A | 15.0% | 26.8% |
| Scotts Corners | 719 | $250,000+ | $1,048,900 | 85.7% | 2.2% |
| Chateaugay | 724 | $79,643 | $132,100 | 28.5% | 23.6% |
| Plandome Manor | 718 | $250,000+ | $2,000,000+ | 80.5% | 2.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 721, Forestville'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
Forestville is a small community located in New York, within Chautauqua County. The total population is 721. It ranks as the 943rd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forestville is 39.4 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.8 years. With 32.9% of the population under 18, Forestville has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 9.7%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 11.4%. This is 79% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $97,000. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $423,800. 58.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Forestville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.3% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 19.8%.
Education
12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forestville, New York 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 New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. 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 Forestville, New York?
Forestville, New York has a population of 721 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forestville, NY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Forestville — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forestville, NY?
The poverty rate in Forestville is 9.7%. This means approximately 70 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forestville, New York?
Forestville's population is 94.3% White, 1.3% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forestville, NY?
The median home value in Forestville is $97,000.
How educated is Forestville, New York?
12.3% of adults (25+) in Forestville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.