Forest County Demographics

A map of Forest County's Population by Race

Forest County, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 6,715, a decrease from the 6,973 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 78.3% White, 13.7% Black, 5.1% Hispanic, 2.0% Multiracial, 0.4% Asian, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Forest County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Forest has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Pennsylvania overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Forest County, that probability was 39.3% in 2020 and 36.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Forest County is ranked the 65th most populous county in Pennsylvania, out of 67 counties. Forest County was ranked the 65th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Forest County's White Population

5,258 residents of Forest County, or 78.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Forest County is higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 73% of the population is White. Forest County ranks 58th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Forest County's population has increased from 75.7% to 78.3%.

Forest County is less White than neighboring Warren County (94.2% White), Clarion County (94.1% White), Jefferson County (95.5% White), Venango County (93.3% White), and Elk County (94.5% White).

Forest County's Black Population

923 residents of Forest County, or 13.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Forest County is slightly higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 10.3% of the population is Black. Forest County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest County's Black population has declined by an estimated 25.3%. Black residents' share of Forest County's population has decreased from 17.7% to 13.7%.

Forest County is more Black than neighboring Warren County (0.8% Black), Clarion County (1.6% Black), Jefferson County (0.3% Black), Venango County (1.2% Black), and Elk County (0.6% Black).

Forest County's Asian Population

24 residents of Forest County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Forest County is slightly lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.8% of the population is Asian. Forest County ranks 65th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 41.2%. Asian residents' share of Forest County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Forest County is more Asian than neighboring Jefferson County (0.3% Asian), and Venango County (0.3% Asian). Forest County is less Asian than neighboring Clarion County (0.7% Asian).

Forest County's Hispanic Population

344 residents of Forest County, or 5.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Forest County is slightly lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 8.7% of the population is Hispanic. Forest County ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Forest County's population has increased from 4.6% to 5.1%.

Forest County is more Hispanic than neighboring Warren County (1.3% Hispanic), Clarion County (1.2% Hispanic), Jefferson County (1% Hispanic), Venango County (1.3% Hispanic), and Elk County (1% Hispanic).

Forest County's Native American/Other Population

29 residents of Forest County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Forest County is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Forest County ranks 67th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 141.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Forest County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Forest County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Warren County (0.3% Native American/Other), Clarion County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Elk County (0% Native American/Other). Forest County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Venango County (0.6% Native American/Other).

Forest County's Multiracial Population

137 residents of Forest County, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Forest County is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.6% of the population is Multiracial. Forest County ranks 67th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Forest County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 26.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Forest County's population has increased from 1.5% to 2.0%.

Forest County is less Multiracial than neighboring Warren County (3% Multiracial), Clarion County (2.3% Multiracial), Jefferson County (2.6% Multiracial), Venango County (3.2% Multiracial), and Elk County (3.4% 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.