Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
Crime
The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Schools
The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Forest City is a smaller city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 4,117 inhabitants. At 91%, the majority of the Forest City population is White; this is followed by 3% Asian and 2% Black. Forest City tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 32 is far below the national average. In Forest City, only 46% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Forest City offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 15 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Forest City could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Iowa if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like amenities, commute, health & safety, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Forest City and in the areas around Forest City is a much easier task.
Forest City, IA receives 75 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #159 in Iowa and #3,138 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Forest City could be a great choice! If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Forest City has higher than average scores for the following: crime (B), education (B+) and housing (B). There are some categories that Forest City does not rank well for, including: amenities (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.
Parents and families often rely on school test scores when making decisions about local public schools. Test score data serves as a crucial metric for comparing and assessing various educational institutions. In Forest City, the average school test scores reached an impressive 75%, significantly higher than the national average. This remarkable performance underscores the commitment of the educational system to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary for success. It allows your children to receive the support and skills that are essential for thriving academically, making Forest City an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Forest City excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Forest City is actually affordable. The median home price for Forest City homes is $91,500, which is 31.1% lower than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Forest City, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.8, which is 25% lower than the Iowa average.
| Statistic | Forest City | Iowa | National |
| Average one way commute | 15min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 82.0% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.4% | 8.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.8% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.6% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.1% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
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