Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

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Forest City, NC

MSAForest City#1/8 Population

Forest City, NC Population, Income & Demographics 2026

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

7,363population

35.1median age

This community is a community of 7,363 with a median age of 35.1. The population is predominantly White (55.6%) with a significant Black community (21.8%). Median household income is $35,524. 84.9% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 14.7% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 45.4%, with a median home value of $160,800.

Race & Ethnicityi

White

55.6%4,095

Black

21.8%1,603

Hispanic/Latino

10.5%771

Two or More

8.3%609

Other

2.2%164

Asian

1.6%116

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%5

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

6.9%327

High School Diploma

30.1%1,419

Some College (<1 yr)

11.3%532

Some College (1+ yr)

16.8%792

Associate's Degree

5.2%247

Bachelor's Degree

8.2%389

Master's Degree

5%235

Professional Degree

0.1%7

Doctorate

1.3%61

HS or Higher

84.9%

BA or Higher

14.7%

Graduate+

6.4%

Housingi

$160,800median home value

$813median rent

45.4%homeownership

3,335total units

19.6%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 45.4%

Renter 54.6%

Home Values

Under $50K

16.7%203

$50K–$100K

13.1%160

$100K–$150K

14%171

$150K–$200K

19.4%236

$200K–$300K

24.5%298

$300K–$500K

11.6%141

$500K–$1M

0.7%9

Rent Distribution

Under $500

239

$500–$750

224

$750–$1,000

699

$1,000–$1,250

161

$1,250–$1,500

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.7%23

2000–2009

2.5%85

1990–1999

7.9%264

1980–1989

10.4%346

1970–1979

20.1%671

1960–1969

18.4%614

1950–1959

18.3%611

1940–1949

16%535

1939 or earlier

5.6%186

Heating Fuel

Electricity

64.9%1,739

Utility Gas

24%643

Bottled/LP Gas

5.9%159

Fuel Oil

2.8%75

No Fuel

1.2%31

Wood

1%26

Other

0.3%8

Household Economyi

$35,524median household income

$21,314per capita income

31.9%poverty rate

7.5%unemployment

2,901labor force

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

8.5%229

$10K–$15K

8.2%219

$15K–$20K

7.8%208

$20K–$25K

10.6%283

$25K–$30K

9.5%255

$30K–$35K

4.3%114

$35K–$40K

7.3%196

$40K–$45K

7%188

$45K–$50K

3%80

$50K–$60K

2.8%76

$60K–$75K

9.3%248

$75K–$100K

11.4%305

$100K–$125K

4.5%121

$125K–$150K

2.3%63

$150K–$200K

1.7%45

$200K+

1.9%51

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

313

Residentsi

560

Avg. Tenant Renti

$296/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

7 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing144 homes97% occupied$249/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers71 homes68% occupied$323/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 855 homes95% occupied$337/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC37 homes99% occupied$369/mo rent

811/PRAC6 homes

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $35,524/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $11K/yr

64.2%

Very low income$11K–$18K/yr

25.8%

Low income$18K–$28K/yr

6.7%

Moderate / aboveOver $28K/yr

3.3%

Who Receives This Housing

77.9% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

47.7% of subsidized households are minority

17.7% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

40.4% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

4135.6%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

261

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

2,572

Avg. Commutei

26.3 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

2,682

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

389(7.2% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

85.9%Insured

14.1%Uninsured