Forest, Virginia Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Forest, Virginia is 12,476 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 109th-largest city in Virginia. The median household income is $78,825, the median home value is $319,100, and the median age is 42.1.
12,476
Population
917
People / sq mi
$78,825
Median Income
$319,100
Median Home Value
Get Forest's next ACS population data
Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Forest covers 13.6 sq mi of land at 917 people per square mile.
About Forest, VA
Forest stands apart on settlement density — it is among the most sparsely settled of US cities, at roughly 917 people per square mile. Forest is a city in Virginia with a population of 12,476.
The typical household here earns about $78,825, near the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 3.6%, is on the lower side for US cities and below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $319,100, with typical rent around $1,112.
About 48.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, above the 35.0% national figure. A solid 16.0% of workers are based at home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 22 minutes each way.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 77.3% |
| Black or African American | 10.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$78,825
Median Household Income
$45,287
Per Capita Income
3.6%
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$319,100
Median Home Value
$1,112
Median Rent
75.0%
Owner-Occupied
Education
95.3%
High School+
48.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.0%
Drive Alone
77.1%
Public Transit
16.0%
Work From Home
21.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
44.0%
Foreign Born
94.9%
Non-English at Home
7.7%
Veterans
8.7%
With Disability
96.1%
Health Insurance
96.7%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 34.0% |
| Information | 10.6% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 9.3% |
| Manufacturing | 9.2% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 8.9% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.0% |
| Public Administration | 3.4% |
| Construction | 3.0% |
| Retail Trade | 1.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.3% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.8% |
Largest cities in Virginia
Largest counties in Virginia
Part of Virginia
Metro areas in Virginia
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Forest, Virginia has a population of 12,476 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 109th-largest city in Virginia.
The median household income in Forest, Virginia is $78,825, with 3.6% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Forest, Virginia is $319,100, with median monthly rent at $1,112 and a homeownership rate of 75.0%.
The median age in Forest, Virginia is 42.1 years. The population is 43.4% male and 56.6% female.
Forest Cdp, VA Climate
Forest Cdp, VA has an average annual temperature of 13.3°C (56°F) and receives about 1075 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
13.3°C
Avg Temp
1075
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2° / 35° | 80 mm |
| February | 3° / 38° | 79 mm |
| March | 8° / 46° | 94 mm |
| April | 13° / 56° | 85 mm |
| May | 18° / 64° | 104 mm |
| June | 22° / 72° | 89 mm |
| July | 24° / 76° | 108 mm |
| August | 24° / 74° | 93 mm |
| September | 20° / 68° | 90 mm |
| October | 14° / 57° | 92 mm |
| November | 9° / 47° | 81 mm |
| December | 4° / 39° | 80 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Forest Cdp, VA
The most comfortable months to visit Forest Cdp, VA are typically September, June and August, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 30°C high). The coldest is January (near -4°C low). July is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Forest
Visiting or relocating to Forest, VA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Forest
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a move to Forest?
Get relocation and cost-of-living insights for Forest, VA by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
More from Virginia
Population 457,066
Population 251,153
Population 235,463
Population 235,037
Population 227,595
Full rankings of Virginia cities by population
Statewide data for Virginia
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Virginia
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.