Living in Forest City, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Forest City · Census data 2020–2024
Forest City has 4,290 residents with a median age of 34.4. The median household income is $69,205 (8% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $143,500, the median rent is $720/month.
Forest City at a glance
- Population
- 4,290
- Median age
- 34.4State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $69,205State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $143,500State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $720/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 66.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29.2%
- Average commute
- 12 min
Is Forest City a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 31% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes; unemployment of 2.7%.
Cons: Median household income 8% lower than the Iowa median; a poverty rate of 12.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Forest City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Forest City the median home value is $143,500, 57% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $720 per month, which is 20% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,273 a month in housing costs.
Forest City median household income
The median household income in Forest City is $69,205 and the income per person is $36,930. 12.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Forest City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,775
- Owner-occupied
- 66.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 33.3%
- Vacant
- 6.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1971
- Average household size
- 2.30
Forest City demographics
- Population
- 4,290
- Median age
- 34.4
- Under 18
- 22.7%
- 65 and older
- 17.6%
- Households
- 1,653
- Foreign-born
- 6.8%
- Veterans
- 3.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Forest City ›
Education in Forest City
29.2% of adults 25 and older in Forest City have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 12.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Forest City
- Unemployment rate
- 2.7%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 12 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 6%
- Drive alone
- 75.1%
- Public transit
- 0.2%
- Walk to work
- 8.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.9%
Forest City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City | 4,290 | $69,205 | $143,500 | $720 |
| Leland | 306 | $52,500 | $92,900 | $789 |
| Crystal Lake | 283 | $66,875 | $100,300 | $911 |
| Thompson | 459 | $61,250 | $95,700 | $733 |
| Fertile | 255 | $65,000 | $143,800 | $858 |
| Garner | 3,049 | $70,726 | $186,300 | $740 |
| Joice | 207 | $66,250 | $96,900 | $800 |
| Lake Mills | 2,088 | $61,875 | $122,600 | $624 |
| Ventura | 733 | $91,944 | $389,500 | $1,063 |
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, IA?
The median household income in Forest City is $69,205, 8% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (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 $143,500, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Forest City?
The median gross rent in Forest City is $720 per month, about 20% of household income.
Is Forest City, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 31% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes; unemployment of 2.7%. Minuses: median household income 8% lower than the Iowa median; a poverty rate of 12.4%.
What is the median age in Forest City?
The median age in Forest City is 34.4 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Forest City?
The average commute to work in Forest City is 12 minutes; 6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Forest City?
The unemployment rate in Forest City is 2.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Forest City?
29.2% 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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