Living in Forrest City, Arkansas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Forrest City · Census data 2020–2024
Forrest City has 12,646 residents with a median age of 36.9. The median household income is $35,689 (41% lower than the Arkansas median), the median home value is $92,000, the median rent is $805/month.
Forrest City at a glance
- Population
- 12,646
- Median age
- 36.9State: 38.5
- Median household income
- $35,689State: $60,773
- Median home value
- $92,000State: $188,000
- Median rent
- $805/moState: $947
- Homeowners
- 39.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13.8%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Forrest City a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 41% lower than the Arkansas median; unemployment of 13.5%; a poverty rate of 37.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Forrest City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Forrest City the median home value is $92,000, 72% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $805 per month, which is 37% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,004 a month in housing costs.
Forrest City median household income
The median household income in Forrest City is $35,689 and the income per person is $16,688. 37.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Arkansas: 16%).
Housing in Forrest City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 4,608
- Owner-occupied
- 39.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 60.8%
- Vacant
- 16.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 2.53
Forrest City demographics
- Population
- 12,646
- Median age
- 36.9
- Under 18
- 21.3%
- 65 and older
- 11.6%
- Households
- 3,831
- Foreign-born
- 3.5%
- Veterans
- 3.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Forrest City ›
Education in Forrest City
13.8% of adults 25 and older in Forrest City have a bachelor's degree or higher (Arkansas: 25.7%), and 5.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Forrest City
- Unemployment rate
- 13.5%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 2.7%
- Drive alone
- 79.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.4%
Forrest City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forrest City | 12,646 | $35,689 | $92,000 | $805 |
| Madison | 476 | $55,893 | $120,400 | $725 |
| Caldwell | 441 | $68,375 | $123,500 | $740 |
| Widener | 238 | $45,938 | $41,800 | $563 |
| Palestine | 800 | $36,090 | $67,900 | $758 |
| Colt | 510 | $22,188 | $93,800 | $711 |
| Wynne | 8,120 | $43,250 | $141,100 | $760 |
| Marianna | 3,417 | $20,138 | $81,700 | $660 |
| Hughes | 886 | $43,250 | $69,800 | $389 |
More for people moving to Forrest City
Forrest City ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Forrest City: FAQ
What is the median household income in Forrest City, AR?
The median household income in Forrest City is $35,689, 41% lower than the Arkansas median of $60,773 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Forrest City?
The median home value in Forrest City is $92,000, compared with $188,000 in Arkansas.
How much is rent in Forrest City?
The median gross rent in Forrest City is $805 per month, about 37% of household income.
Is Forrest City, AR a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes. Minuses: median household income 41% lower than the Arkansas median; unemployment of 13.5%; a poverty rate of 37.7%.
What is the median age in Forrest City?
The median age in Forrest City is 36.9 years (Arkansas: 38.5).
How long is the commute in Forrest City?
The average commute to work in Forrest City is 16 minutes; 2.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Forrest City?
The unemployment rate in Forrest City is 13.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Forrest City?
13.8% of adults in Forrest City have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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