Forest City, NC Demographics

A map of Forest City's Population by Race

Forest City, North Carolina has an estimated population of 7,363, a less than 1% change from the 7,377 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 55.6% White, 21.8% Black, 10.5% Hispanic, 8.3% Multiracial, 2.3% Native American/Other, and 1.6% Asian. 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 more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than North Carolina 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 57.7% in 2020 and 62.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Forest City is ranked the 130th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 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 127th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Forest City's White Population

4,095 residents of Forest City, or 55.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Forest City is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Forest City ranks 488th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest City's White population has declined by an estimated 7.9%. White residents' share of Forest City's population has decreased from 60.2% to 55.6%.

Forest City is less White than neighboring Bostic (90.1% White), Spindale (72.4% White), Ruth (84.9% White), Caroleen (82.8% White), and Rutherfordton (68.5% White).

Forest City's Black Population

1,603 residents of Forest City, or 21.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Forest City is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Forest City ranks 266th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest City's Black population has grown by an estimated 4.2%. Black residents' share of Forest City's population has increased from 20.9% to 21.8%.

Forest City is more Black than neighboring Bostic (5.5% Black), Spindale (14.4% Black), Ruth (1% Black), Caroleen (0% Black), and Rutherfordton (10.4% Black).

Forest City's Asian Population

116 residents of Forest City, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Forest City is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Forest City ranks 235th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest City's Asian population has grown by an estimated 39.8%. Asian residents' share of Forest City's population has increased from 1.1% to 1.6%.

Forest City is more Asian than neighboring Bostic (0.7% Asian), Spindale (1% Asian), Ruth (0.2% Asian), Caroleen (0% Asian), and Rutherfordton (1.1% Asian).

Forest City's Hispanic Population

771 residents of Forest City, or 10.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Forest City is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Forest City ranks 179th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest City's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 8.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Forest City's population has decreased from 11.4% to 10.5%.

Forest City is more Hispanic than neighboring Bostic (0% Hispanic), Spindale (6.1% Hispanic), Ruth (8.6% Hispanic), Caroleen (0% Hispanic), and Rutherfordton (9.9% Hispanic).

Forest City's Native American/Other Population

169 residents of Forest City, or 2.3% 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 North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Forest City ranks 539th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest City's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 322.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Forest City's population has increased from 0.5% to 2.3%.

Forest City is more Native American/Other than neighboring Bostic (0% Native American/Other), Spindale (1.3% Native American/Other), Ruth (0% Native American/Other), and Rutherfordton (0.3% Native American/Other). Forest City is less Native American/Other than neighboring Caroleen (17.2% Native American/Other).

Forest City's Multiracial Population

609 residents of Forest City, or 8.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Forest City is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Forest City ranks 79th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest City's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 41.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Forest City's population has increased from 5.8% to 8.3%.

Forest City is more Multiracial than neighboring Bostic (3.7% Multiracial), Spindale (4.8% Multiracial), Ruth (5.3% Multiracial), and Caroleen (0% Multiracial). Forest City is less Multiracial than neighboring Rutherfordton (9.6% 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.