Forest, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forest, Ohio had a total population of 1,286, the 603rd largest village in Ohio, with a median household income of $55,938, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
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 | 1,401 | 1,286 | -8.2% |
| Median household income | $46,111 | $55,938 | +21.3% |
| Median home value | $106,800 | $112,700 | +5.5% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forest Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Hardin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenton | 7,663 | $56,033 | 18.6% | $107,100 |
| Ada | 4,797 | $61,649 | 31.5% | $160,500 |
| Dunkirk | 839 | $49,286 | 10.2% | $99,200 |
| Alger | 718 | $38,333 | 39.0% | $68,500 |
| Mount Victory | 577 | $56,875 | 7.4% | $147,200 |
| McGuffey | 384 | $51,250 | 16.9% | $77,900 |
| Patterson | 149 | $46,917 | 49.7% | $70,000 |
| Dola | 126 | $27,292 | 15.9% | $55,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leavittsburg | 1,283 | $54,167 | $80,900 | 3.3% | 13.2% |
| Tiltonsville | 1,311 | $57,250 | $106,300 | 23.4% | 8.2% |
| Lakeview | 1,234 | $55,893 | $98,300 | 11.6% | 10.0% |
| Castalia | 1,230 | $55,455 | $186,300 | 12.0% | 36.6% |
| Somerset | 1,216 | $55,208 | $225,000 | 26.8% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Forest is a small community located in Ohio, within Hardin County. The total population is 1,286. It ranks as the 603rd most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forest is 38.3 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Forest is $55,938. This is 22% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $112,700. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Forest is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Forest has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 4.8%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
11.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forest, Ohio 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 Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. 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, Ohio?
Forest, Ohio has a population of 1,286 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forest, OH?
The median household income in Forest is $55,938, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forest, OH?
The poverty rate in Forest is 11.5%. This means approximately 148 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forest, Ohio?
Forest's population is 94.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forest, OH?
The median home value in Forest is $112,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Forest, Ohio?
11.8% of adults (25+) in Forest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.