Living in Forest City, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Forest City · Census data 2020–2024
Forest City has 223 residents with a median age of 36.1. The median household income is $87,813 (5% higher than the Illinois median), the median home value is $86,300, the median rent is $937/month.
Forest City is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Forest City at a glance
- Population
- 223
- Median age
- 36.1State: 39
- Median household income
- $87,813State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $86,300State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $937/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 67.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11.7%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Is Forest City a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 5% higher than the Illinois median; home values 67% lower than the state median.
Cons: An average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 18.2%; a poverty rate of 28.3%.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Forest City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Forest City the median home value is $86,300, 74% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $937 per month, which is 12.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,094 a month in housing costs.
Forest City median household income
The median household income in Forest City is $87,813 and the income per person is $34,640. 28.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Forest City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 110
- Owner-occupied
- 67.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 32.3%
- Vacant
- 10%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1966
- Average household size
- 2.25
Forest City demographics
- Population
- 223
- Median age
- 36.1
- Under 18
- 20.6%
- 65 and older
- 19.3%
- Households
- 99
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 11.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Forest City ›
Education in Forest City
11.7% of adults 25 and older in Forest City have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 1.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Forest City
- Unemployment rate
- 18.2%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 30 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 5.7%
- Drive alone
- 83%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 98%
Forest City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City | 223 | $87,813 | $86,300 | $937 |
| Manito | 1,692 | $71,920 | $112,600 | $741 |
| Goofy Ridge | 125 | $38,750 | $54,300 | — |
| Easton | 285 | $61,250 | $81,700 | $759 |
| Green Valley | 683 | $53,500 | $115,900 | $759 |
| Banner | 157 | $52,917 | $101,600 | $775 |
| South Pekin | 883 | $67,176 | $106,400 | $800 |
| San Jose | 557 | $55,809 | $76,800 | — |
| Havana | 2,989 | $41,184 | $95,300 | $625 |
More for people moving to Forest City
Forest City ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Forest City: FAQ
What is the median household income in Forest City, IL?
The median household income in Forest City is $87,813, 5% higher than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Forest City?
The median home value in Forest City is $86,300, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Forest City?
The median gross rent in Forest City is $937 per month, about 12.9% of household income.
Is Forest City, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 5% higher than the Illinois median; home values 67% lower than the state median. Minuses: an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 18.2%; a poverty rate of 28.3%.
What is the median age in Forest City?
The median age in Forest City is 36.1 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Forest City?
The average commute to work in Forest City is 30 minutes; 5.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Forest City?
The unemployment rate in Forest City is 18.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Forest City?
11.7% of adults in Forest 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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