Forest City town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Forest City town, North Carolina has a total population of 7,368, the 127th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $35,897, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Forest City town Quick Facts
How Forest City town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forest City town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Forest City town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cullowhee CDP | 7,300 | $35,076 | N/A | 29.4% | 51.3% |
| Selma town | 6,611 | $37,440 | $161,100 | 12.5% | 27.1% |
| Marion city | 7,594 | $44,472 | $131,100 | 14.2% | 24.2% |
| Roxboro city | 8,144 | $39,283 | $138,700 | 20.7% | 33.7% |
| Brevard city | 7,795 | $44,356 | $411,000 | 37.5% | 17.2% |
Population Overview
Forest City town is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 7,368. It ranks as the 127th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forest City town is 34.8 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 28.8% of the population under 18, Forest City town has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Forest City town is $35,897. This is 49% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 54% lower. The poverty rate stands at 33.6%. This is 155% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 6.7%. This is 39% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $142,100. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 41.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Forest City town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 25.0%.
Education
17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forest City town, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Forest City town, North Carolina?
Forest City town, North Carolina has a population of 7,368 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forest City town, NC?
The median household income in Forest City town is $35,897, which is 54% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Forest City town, NC?
The poverty rate in Forest City town is 33.6%. This means approximately 2,449 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forest City town, North Carolina?
Forest City town's population is 54.0% White, 25.0% Black, 10.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forest City town, NC?
The median home value in Forest City town is $142,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Forest City town, North Carolina?
17.2% of adults (25+) in Forest City town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.