Forest City: Demographics & People
Forest City is home to 4,290 people, in 1,653 households. Population grew 0.2% from 4,280 (2022) to 4,290 (2024). Median age 34.4 years. (8.3y younger than Winnebago County; 2.9y younger than Iowa). Children under 18 are 23% of the population. Population is 87% White (non-Hispanic) and 5% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.23). 57% of households are family-led. County is losing 268 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 36% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household (vs Iowa avg 2.4).
- 43% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Iowa 43%).
- 68 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Iowa 70).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.2% from 4,280 (2022) to 4,290 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~4,299 (extrapolated at 0.1%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 4,312.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 10,795 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 4,280 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 4,290 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 4,290 people (vs Iowa 24,827) |
| Population Estimate | 4,312 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 34.4y is 4.5 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 23% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 34.4 years (vs Iowa 37.3y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 22.7% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 4,290 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 974 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 1,219.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 1,341.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 756 |
| Population under 18 | 974 |
| Median age | 34.4 years (vs Iowa 37.3y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 4,290 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.23 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 3,759 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 91 |
| Asian residents | 323 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 143 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 23.4% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 87.1% |
| Asian population | 3.2% (vs Iowa 1.9%) |
| Black population | 4.6% (vs Iowa 3.6%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 3.4% (vs Iowa 5.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 87.1% (vs Iowa 81.2%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 7% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 2,619 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 1,357 |
| Share born in this state | 61.0% |
| Share born in another state | 39.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 31.6% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 6.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 269 |
| From Europe | 9 |
| From Africa | 240 |
Households & Family Composition
1,653 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 57% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 1,009 families, 34% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 1,048 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 1,009 |
| Married couples with children | 339 |
| Single-parent households | 39 |
| Average household size | 2.41 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 13.1% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 25 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 15 |
| Family households | 944 households (vs Iowa 6,171) |
| Households that are families | 57.1% (at Iowa median) |
| Total households | 1,653 households (vs Iowa 10,135) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 20.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 268 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 20.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 9,954 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 10,222 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -268 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 272 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.6% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 495 residents live in group quarters (11.5% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 495 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 19081 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 19 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 081 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Hancock |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 12.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 7.90 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 18.00 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 19081 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Hancock County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 395 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 19081 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Hancock County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 54.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 51.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 58.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 10,630 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 3.40 |
| Family Score · Schools | 3 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 22.7% |
| Family Score · Rating | fair |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 4,290, stable, young professional, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 4,290 people (vs Iowa 24,827) |
| Town Summary · County | Hancock County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade