Forest City, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forest City, North Carolina had a total population of 7,363, the 130th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $35,524, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Forest City Quick Facts
How Forest City 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 | 7,368 | 7,363 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $35,897 | $35,524 | -1.0% |
| Median home value | $142,100 | $160,800 | +13.2% |
How Forest City 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: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forest City Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Rutherford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spindale | 4,131 | $41,262 | 21.8% | $167,400 |
| Rutherfordton | 3,680 | $59,375 | 12.7% | $288,400 |
| Lake Lure | 1,543 | $80,357 | 11.5% | $627,000 |
| Ellenboro | 901 | $49,769 | 18.3% | $164,400 |
| Ruth | 510 | $51,250 | 35.7% | $138,300 |
| Cliffside | 438 | $51,438 | 7.1% | N/A |
| Bostic | 433 | $57,813 | 17.8% | $171,900 |
| Henrietta | 197 | N/A | 20.8% | $162,500 |
| Chimney Rock Village | 122 | $64,375 | 8.2% | $477,300 |
| Caroleen | 116 | N/A | 29.3% | $137,500 |
Cities Similar to Forest City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cullowhee | 7,973 | $35,929 | $382,300 | 38.3% | 45.8% |
| Roxboro | 8,182 | $36,553 | $157,700 | 14.1% | 33.3% |
| Selma | 6,817 | $41,368 | $171,600 | 13.8% | 24.7% |
| Marion | 7,579 | $51,314 | $163,500 | 15.6% | 23.5% |
| Siler City | 7,995 | $46,566 | $154,600 | 16.8% | 33.9% |
Population Overview
Forest City is a small city located in North Carolina, within Rutherford County. The total population is 7,363. It ranks as the 130th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forest City is 35.1 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Forest City is $35,524. This is 51% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.1%. This is 146% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 7.5%. This is 60% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $160,800. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 45.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Forest City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 21.8%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
14.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forest City, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. 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 City, North Carolina?
Forest City, North Carolina has a population of 7,363 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forest City, NC?
The median household income in Forest City is $35,524, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forest City, NC?
The poverty rate in Forest City is 32.1%. This means approximately 2,347 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forest City, North Carolina?
Forest City's population is 55.6% White, 21.8% Black, 10.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forest City, NC?
The median home value in Forest City is $160,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Forest City, North Carolina?
14.7% of adults (25+) in Forest City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.