Forest County, Pennsylvania Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Forest County is located in Pennsylvania with a total population of 6,785. It is the 65th most populous county out of 67 in Pennsylvania. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Forest County is 48.6 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. Only 3.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Forest County is $50,061. This is 34% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.7%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $111,900. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Forest County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 69.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Forest County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.7%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.7%.

Education

12.1% 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 65% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.6%.