Forest City, IA Demographics

A map of Forest City's Population by Race

Forest City, Iowa has an estimated population of 4,290, a less than 1% change from the 4,285 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 87.1% White, 4.6% Black, 3.4% Hispanic, 3.2% Asian, 1.1% Multiracial, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Forest City, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Forest City has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Iowa overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Forest City, that probability was 28.3% in 2020 and 23.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Forest City is ranked the 98th most populous place in Iowa, out of 1,026 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Forest City was ranked the 97th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Forest City's White Population

3,737 residents of Forest City, or 87.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Forest City is slightly higher than in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Forest City ranks 912th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest City's White population has grown by an estimated 3.5%. White residents' share of Forest City's population has increased from 84.2% to 87.1%.

Forest City is more White than neighboring Leland (70.9% White), Hayfield (0% White), and Crystal Lake (83.7% White). Forest City is less White than neighboring Miller (100% White), and Garner (94% White).

Forest City's Black Population

199 residents of Forest City, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Forest City is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Forest City ranks 49th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest City's Black population has grown by an estimated 22.8%. Black residents' share of Forest City's population has increased from 3.8% to 4.6%.

Forest City is more Black than neighboring Leland (2.9% Black), Miller (0% Black), Hayfield (0% Black), Crystal Lake (1.8% Black), and Garner (1% Black).

Forest City's Asian Population

137 residents of Forest City, or 3.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Forest City is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Forest City ranks 71st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest City's Asian population has grown by an estimated 77.9%. Asian residents' share of Forest City's population has increased from 1.8% to 3.2%.

Forest City is more Asian than neighboring Leland (0.3% Asian), Miller (0% Asian), Hayfield (0% Asian), Crystal Lake (0% Asian), and Garner (0% Asian).

Forest City's Hispanic Population

146 residents of Forest City, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Forest City is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Forest City ranks 173rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest City's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 45.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Forest City's population has decreased from 6.2% to 3.4%.

Forest City is more Hispanic than neighboring Miller (0% Hispanic), Hayfield (0% Hispanic), and Garner (2% Hispanic). Forest City is less Hispanic than neighboring Leland (14.4% Hispanic), and Crystal Lake (12.7% Hispanic).

Forest City's Native American/Other Population

22 residents of Forest City, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Forest City is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Forest City ranks 233rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest City's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 24.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Forest City's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Forest City is more Native American/Other than neighboring Leland (0% Native American/Other), Miller (0% Native American/Other), Hayfield (0% Native American/Other), Crystal Lake (0% Native American/Other), and Garner (0.1% Native American/Other).

Forest City's Multiracial Population

49 residents of Forest City, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Forest City is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Forest City ranks 341st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest City's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 65.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Forest City's population has decreased from 3.3% to 1.1%.

Forest City is more Multiracial than neighboring Miller (0% Multiracial), and Hayfield (0% Multiracial). Forest City is less Multiracial than neighboring Leland (11.4% Multiracial), Crystal Lake (1.8% Multiracial), and Garner (2.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.