Forest, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forest, Virginia had a total population of 13,430, the 102nd largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $81,552, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 12,476 | 13,430 | +7.6% |
| Median household income | $78,825 | $81,552 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $319,100 | $319,800 | +0.2% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forest Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Bedford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford | 7,724 | $70,288 | 12.2% | $222,500 |
| Stewartsville | 737 | $94,390 | 12.5% | $217,600 |
| Moneta | 395 | N/A | 25.1% | $232,200 |
| Montvale | 351 | N/A | 15.4% | $255,900 |
| Big Island | 91 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | 12,445 | $80,296 | $317,000 | 39.7% | 12.7% |
| Timberlake | 12,725 | $75,657 | $235,900 | 31.6% | 8.5% |
| Huntington | 13,502 | $99,956 | $541,900 | 65.2% | 7.3% |
| Lakeside | 12,654 | $72,032 | $288,200 | 39.5% | 11.8% |
| Stuarts Draft | 11,780 | $79,332 | $294,300 | 22.2% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Forest is a small city located in Virginia, within Bedford County. The total population is 13,430. It ranks as the 102nd most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forest is 39.2 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years. 10.8% 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 is $81,552. This is 12% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 1% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.6%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $319,800. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 75.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Forest is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
45.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.0%. Notably, 23.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forest, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. 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, Virginia?
Forest, Virginia has a population of 13,430 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forest, VA?
The median household income in Forest is $81,552, which is 1% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forest, VA?
The poverty rate in Forest is 9.6%. This means approximately 1,282 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forest, Virginia?
Forest's population is 76.2% White, 12.6% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forest, VA?
The median home value in Forest is $319,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Forest, Virginia?
45.6% of adults (25+) in Forest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.