Forest City, NC

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2019 Population

66,599

0.101% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

0.671% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

17.9%

0.171% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$42,608

5.6% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$118,300

3.05% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

26,817

1.49% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Forest City, NC had a population of 66.6k people with a median age of 45 and a median household income of $42,608. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Forest City, NC grew from 66,532 to 66,599, a 0.101% increase and its median household income grew from $40,347 to $42,608, a 5.6% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Forest City, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (83.3%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (9.52%), White (Hispanic) (3.48%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.77%), and Other (Hispanic) (0.719%). 0% of the households in Forest City, NC speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

98.7% of the residents in Forest City, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Forest City, NC are Isothermal Community College (809 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2019, the median property value in Forest City, NC was $118,300, and the homeownership rate was 71.5%. Most people in Forest City, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Forest City, NC was 2 cars per household.

Forest City, NC borders Asheville, NC, Gaffney, SC, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, Marion, NC, Shelby, NC, and Spartanburg, SC.

United States North Carolina

Diversity

Forest City, NC is home to a population of 66.6k people, from which 98.7% are citizens. As of 2019, 2.74% of Forest City, NC residents were born outside of the country (1.83k people).

In 2019, there were 8.75 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (55.5k people) in Forest City, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.34k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 2.32k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Forest City, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
55.5k ± 25
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
6.34k ± 375
White (Hispanic)
2.32k ± 320

4.42%

Hispanic Population

2.94k people

4.42% of the people in Forest City, NC are hispanic (2.94k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Forest City, NC as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

2.74%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

1.83k people

2.45%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

1.63k people

As of 2019, 2.74% of Forest City, NC residents (1.83k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Forest City, NC was 2.45%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Forest City, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 7.6

In 2019, the median age of all people in Forest City, NC was 45. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 45, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 45. But people in Forest City, NC are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Forest City, NC residents was 45.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
229,947 ± 11,640 people
India
70,805 ± 6,510 people
Honduras
36,544 ± 4,685 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 229,947 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 70,805 and Honduras with 36,544.

Citizenship

98.7%

2019 Citizenship

98.9%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 98.7% of Forest City, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Forest City, NC was 98.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Forest City, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,677 ± 274
Gulf War (1990s)
522 ± 166
Gulf War (2001-)
426 ± 171

Forest City, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.21 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for North Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in North Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of North Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Forest City, NC is $42,608. In 2019, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Forest City, NC was Union County, NC with a value of $85,985, followed by Wake County, NC and Orange County, NC, with respective values of $84,215 and $74,299.

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,862. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.472, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Forest City, NC employs 26.8k people. The largest industries in Forest City, NC are Manufacturing (5,546 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,140 people), and Retail Trade (3,361 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($59,091), Finance & Insurance ($57,857), and Utilities ($49,455).

Wages

Median Household Income

$42,608

2019 value

± $1,633

5.6%

1 Year Growth

± 6.01%

Households in Forest City, NC have a median annual income of $42,608, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $40,347 in 2018, which represents a 5.6% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Forest City, NC compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

$63,585

Average Male Salary in North Carolina

± $1,168

$47,862

Average Female Salary in North Carolina

± $855

In 2019, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.33 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in North Carolina

Asian
$64,719 ± $4,583
White
$53,494 ± $850
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$42,933 ± $24,629

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.21 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in North Carolina.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Forest City, NC is from North Carolina.

0.472

2019 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.473

2018 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2019, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.472 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0599% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2019, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Forest City, NC was Union County, NC with a value of $85,985, followed by Wake County, NC and Orange County, NC, with respective values of $84,215 and $74,299.

The following map shows all of the counties in Forest City, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 45 - 54

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

17.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Forest City, NC (11.7k out of 65.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 45 - 54, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 55 - 64.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
9,268 ± 773
Black
2,078 ± 399
Hispanic
450 ± 251

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Forest City, NC is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

26.8k

2019 Value

± 1,316

1.49%

1 Year growth

± 6.86%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Forest City, NC grew at a rate of 1.49%, from 26.4k employees to 26.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Forest City, NC, are Production Occupations (4,104 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,782 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,482 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Forest City, NC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Forest City, NC, by number of employees, are Production Occupations (4,104 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,782 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,482 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Forest City, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (2.7 times higher than expected), Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.45 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.45 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Forest City, NC, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($70,833), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($66,364), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($62,337).

Industries

Employment by Industries

26.8k

2019 Value

± 1,316

1.49%

1 Year growth

± 6.86%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Forest City, NC grew at a rate of 1.49%, from 26.4k employees to 26.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Forest City, NC, are Manufacturing (5,546 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,140 people), and Retail Trade (3,361 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Forest City, NC, though some of these residents may live in Forest City, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Forest City, NC, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (5,546 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,140 people), and Retail Trade (3,361 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Forest City, NC has an unusually high number of Manufacturing (2.07 times higher than expected), Utilities (1.39 times), and Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (1.37 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Forest City, NC, by median earnings, are Information ($59,091), Finance & Insurance ($57,857), and Utilities ($49,455).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.9B, followed by Machinery ($49B) and Pharmaceuticals ($48.7B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$488B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

89.6% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $488B. This is expected to increase 89.6% to $926B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$35.1B
Virginia
$27B
Georgia
$18.5B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $35.1B, followed by Virginia with $27B and Georgia and $18.5B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.881%). The most partisan county was Durham County, NC with 80.4% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Forest City, NC. Showing the available data for North Carolina.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.881%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.881%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of North Carolina.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for North Carolina

49.9% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in North Carolina

Durham County, NC
80.4% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Yadkin County, NC
80% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Graham County, NC
79.5% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in North Carolina was Durham County, NC with 80.4% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in North Carolina colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Richard Burr

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Forest City, NC awarded 809 degrees. The student population of Forest City, NC is skewed towards women, with 741 male students and 1,301 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Forest City, NC are White (628 and 77.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (64 and 7.91%), Black or African American (56 and 6.92%), and Unknown (37 and 4.57%).

The largest universities in Forest City, NC by number of degrees awarded are Isothermal Community College (809 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Forest City, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (207 and 25.6%), General Studies (107 and 13.2%), and General Business Administration & Management (99 and 12.2%).

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
207 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
25 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
22 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Forest City, NC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 207 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Forest City, NC according to their major.

Universities

Isothermal Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

809 degrees awarded

In 2020, the Forest City, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Isothermal Community College with 809 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

316

Degrees Awarded to Men

493

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 316 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Forest City, NC, which is 0.641 times less than the 493 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Forest City, NC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
628 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
64 degrees awarded
Black or African American
56 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Forest City, NC was White students. These 628 degrees mean that there were 9.81 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 64 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Forest City, NC was $118,300 in 2019, which is 0.492 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $114,800 to $118,300, a 3.05% increase. The homeownership rate in Forest City, NC is 71.5%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Forest City, NC have an average commute time of 24.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Forest City, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$118,300

2019 Median

± $4,115

$114,800

2018 Median

± $4,661

In 2019, the median property value in Forest City, NC grew to to $118,300 from the previous year's value of $114,800.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Forest City, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Forest City, NC the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$42,608

Median Household Income

± $1,633

26.7k

Number of Households

± 1,216

In 2019, the median household income of the 26.7k households in Forest City, NC grew to $42,608 from the previous year's value of $40,347.

The following chart displays the households in Forest City, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $60k - $75k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Forest City, NC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Forest City, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

71.5%

2019 Homeownership

71.3%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 71.5% of the housing units in Forest City, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 71.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Forest City, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

24.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Forest City, NC have a shorter commute time (24.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 2.17% of the workforce in Forest City, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Forest City, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (82.4%)
Carpooled (11.4%)
Worked At Home (2.96%)

In 2019, 82.4% of workers in Forest City, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.4%) and those who worked at home (2.96%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Forest City, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Forest City, NC have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

88.5% of the population of Forest City, NC has health coverage, with 35.5% on employee plans, 20.7% on Medicaid, 15.7% on Medicare, 14.9% on non-group plans, and 1.63% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1405 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.496% decrease from the previous year (1412 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1718 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 389 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jones County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (27.2%). Additionally, Bladen County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (49.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

1,405 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in North Carolina

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see an average of 1,405 patients per year. This represents a 0.496% decrease from the previous year (1,412 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in North Carolina in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

$7,264

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in North Carolina

$3,859

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,225

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,260

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in North Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.37%, from $7,027 to $7,264.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

11.5%

Uninsured

35.5%

Employer Coverage

20.7%

Medicaid

15.7%

Medicare

14.9%

Non-Group

1.63%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Forest City, NC grew by 2.74% from 11.2% to 11.5%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Forest City, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.