Forest Oaks, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forest Oaks, North Carolina had a total population of 4,293, the 199th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $107,604, which is 49% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
Forest Oaks Quick Facts
How Forest Oaks 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 | 4,095 | 4,293 | +4.8% |
| Median household income | $108,250 | $107,604 | -0.6% |
| Median home value | $294,400 | $349,300 | +18.6% |
How Forest Oaks 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forest Oaks Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Guilford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro | 301,198 | $61,515 | 17.0% | $244,800 |
| High Point | 116,245 | $64,561 | 15.7% | $235,800 |
| Burlington | 59,610 | $56,880 | 16.4% | $199,200 |
| Kernersville | 27,830 | $71,918 | 12.6% | $290,700 |
| Archdale | 12,087 | $64,757 | 5.2% | $198,000 |
| Summerfield | 11,116 | $160,275 | 7.1% | $521,900 |
| Gibsonville | 9,467 | $95,861 | 5.8% | $298,000 |
| Oak Ridge | 7,744 | $155,385 | 3.6% | $529,300 |
| Stokesdale | 6,004 | $121,071 | 5.6% | $379,100 |
| Pleasant Garden | 5,060 | $88,204 | 9.7% | $223,500 |
Cities Similar to Forest Oaks
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Pines | 4,325 | $107,885 | $400,200 | 57.1% | 1.5% |
| Trent Woods | 4,032 | $107,802 | $343,100 | 65.8% | 3.5% |
| Swansboro | 3,997 | $114,425 | $378,700 | 39.8% | 14.1% |
| Troutman | 3,995 | $98,462 | $398,800 | 41.4% | 6.1% |
| Southport | 4,205 | $87,641 | $437,700 | 37.4% | 6.4% |
Population Overview
Forest Oaks is a small community located in North Carolina, within Guilford County. The total population is 4,293. It ranks as the 199th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forest Oaks is 48.4 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 13.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Forest Oaks is $107,604. This is 49% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 33% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.4%. This is 57% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Forest Oaks, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $349,300. Housing costs are 21% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 90.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Forest Oaks is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.4%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
46.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 17.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forest Oaks, 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 Oaks, North Carolina?
Forest Oaks, North Carolina has a population of 4,293 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forest Oaks, NC?
The median household income in Forest Oaks is $107,604, which is 33% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forest Oaks, NC?
The poverty rate in Forest Oaks is 20.4%. This means approximately 876 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forest Oaks, North Carolina?
Forest Oaks's population is 74.6% White, 18.4% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forest Oaks, NC?
The median home value in Forest Oaks is $349,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Forest Oaks, North Carolina?
46.1% of adults (25+) in Forest Oaks hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.