Living in Forest City, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Forest City · Census data 2020–2024
Forest City has 7,363 residents with a median age of 35.1. The median household income is $35,524 (51% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $160,800, the median rent is $813/month.
Forest City at a glance
- Population
- 7,363
- Median age
- 35.1State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $35,524State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $160,800State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $813/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 45.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.7%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Forest City a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 44% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 51% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 7.5%; a poverty rate of 32.1%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–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 $160,800, 52% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $813 per month, which is 34.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,131 a month in housing costs.
Forest City median household income
The median household income in Forest City is $35,524 and the income per person is $21,314. 32.1% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Forest City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 3,335
- Owner-occupied
- 45.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 54.6%
- Vacant
- 19.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1965
- Average household size
- 2.70
Forest City demographics
- Population
- 7,363
- Median age
- 35.1
- Under 18
- 26.6%
- 65 and older
- 18%
- Households
- 2,681
- Foreign-born
- 5.6%
- Veterans
- 7.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Forest City ›
Education in Forest City
14.7% of adults 25 and older in Forest City have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 6.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Forest City
- Unemployment rate
- 7.5%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 6%
- Drive alone
- 80.5%
- Public transit
- 0.7%
- Walk to work
- 2.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.1%
Forest City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City | 7,363 | $35,524 | $160,800 | $813 |
| Bostic | 433 | $57,813 | $171,900 | $855 |
| Spindale | 4,131 | $41,262 | $167,400 | $755 |
| Ruth | 510 | $51,250 | $138,300 | $675 |
| Rutherfordton | 3,680 | $59,375 | $288,400 | $860 |
| Ellenboro | 901 | $49,769 | $164,400 | $711 |
| Cliffside | 438 | $51,438 | — | — |
| Mooresboro | 190 | $49,464 | $225,000 | $800 |
| Lattimore | 526 | $81,250 | $169,700 | $850 |
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, NC?
The median household income in Forest City is $35,524, 51% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (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 $160,800, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Forest City?
The median gross rent in Forest City is $813 per month, about 34.9% of household income.
Is Forest City, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 44% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 51% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 7.5%; a poverty rate of 32.1%.
What is the median age in Forest City?
The median age in Forest City is 35.1 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Forest City?
The average commute to work in Forest City is 26 minutes; 6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Forest City?
The unemployment rate in Forest City is 7.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Forest City?
14.7% 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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