Living in Forrest, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Forrest · Census data 2020–2024
Forrest has 994 residents with a median age of 34.1. The median household income is $73,426 (12% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $113,000, the median rent is $730/month.
Forrest is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Forrest at a glance
- Population
- 994
- Median age
- 34.1State: 39
- Median household income
- $73,426State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $113,000State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $730/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 79%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.9%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Forrest a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 57% lower than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 2.2%; a poverty rate of 10%.
Cons: Median household income 12% lower than the Illinois median.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Forrest
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Forrest the median home value is $113,000, 66% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $730 per month, which is 20.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,158 a month in housing costs.
Forrest median household income
The median household income in Forrest is $73,426 and the income per person is $36,101. 10% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Forrest: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 449
- Owner-occupied
- 79%
- Renter-occupied
- 21%
- Vacant
- 2.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1955
- Average household size
- 2.27
Forrest demographics
- Population
- 994
- Median age
- 34.1
- Under 18
- 23.2%
- 65 and older
- 16.5%
- Households
- 438
- Foreign-born
- 2.8%
- Veterans
- 8.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Forrest ›
Education in Forrest
18.9% of adults 25 and older in Forrest have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 5.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Forrest
- Unemployment rate
- 2.2%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 5.7%
- Drive alone
- 78.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.9%
Forrest vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forrest | 994 | $73,426 | $113,000 | $730 |
| Fairbury | 3,713 | $70,962 | $162,200 | $776 |
| Chatsworth | 1,172 | $69,559 | $103,200 | $723 |
| Saunemin | 352 | $56,250 | $94,600 | — |
| Sibley | 286 | $72,250 | $90,600 | $1,281 |
| Cullom | 471 | $65,417 | $100,800 | $969 |
| Piper City | 703 | $39,680 | $80,400 | $768 |
| Anchor | 206 | $72,250 | $98,100 | — |
| Melvin | 430 | $43,958 | $66,300 | $681 |
More for people moving to Forrest
Forrest ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Forrest: FAQ
What is the median household income in Forrest, IL?
The median household income in Forrest is $73,426, 12% lower 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 Forrest?
The median home value in Forrest is $113,000, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Forrest?
The median gross rent in Forrest is $730 per month, about 20.5% of household income.
Is Forrest, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 57% lower than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 2.2%; a poverty rate of 10%. Minuses: median household income 12% lower than the Illinois median.
What is the median age in Forrest?
The median age in Forrest is 34.1 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Forrest?
The average commute to work in Forrest is 26 minutes; 5.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Forrest?
The unemployment rate in Forrest is 2.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Forrest?
18.9% of adults in Forrest 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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