Forrest City, Arkansas Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Forrest City, Arkansas is 12,826 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 33rd-largest city in Arkansas. The median household income is $33,522, the median home value is $87,800, and the median age is 36.2.
The population has declined 19.8% since 2010 (15,387 → 12,340).
12,826
Population
634
People / sq mi
$33,522
Median Income
$87,800
Median Home Value
Forrest City covers 20.2 sq mi of land at 634 people per square mile.
About Forrest City, AR
Forrest City is a city in Arkansas with a population of 12,826. It ranks #33 among cities in Arkansas by population. The median age is 36.2, younger than the national median. The population is 58.7% male and 41.3% female.
The median household income in Forrest City is $33,522, below the US median of $74,580. 31.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $87,800, with monthly rent averaging $795. The homeownership rate of 38.0% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Forrest City reflects 11.7% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 2.6% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 15.4 minutes each way.
Forrest City city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Forrest City city had a population of 15,387 in 2010 and 12,340 in 2024, a -19.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 15,387 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -1.55%.
12,340
Population (2024)
15,387
Population (2010)
15,387
Peak (2010)
-1.55%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 15,387 |
| 2011 | 15,278 |
| 2012 | 15,310 |
| 2013 | 15,112 |
| 2014 | 14,896 |
| 2015 | 14,674 |
| 2016 | 14,514 |
| 2017 | 14,330 |
| 2018 | 14,080 |
| 2019 | 13,820 |
| 2020 | 12,973 |
| 2021 | 12,803 |
| 2022 | 12,637 |
| 2023 | 12,469 |
| 2024 | 12,340 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 23.2% |
| Black or African American | 73.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$33,522
Median Household Income
$17,056
Per Capita Income
31.5%
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$87,800
Median Home Value
$795
Median Rent
38.0%
Owner-Occupied
Education
83.4%
High School+
11.7%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.0%
Drive Alone
81.2%
Public Transit
2.6%
Work From Home
15.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
32.8%
Foreign Born
95.2%
Non-English at Home
4.0%
Veterans
23.4%
With Disability
91.1%
Health Insurance
91.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 26.3% |
| Manufacturing | 14.0% |
| Public Administration | 12.3% |
| Retail Trade | 6.6% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.1% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.8% |
| Construction | 4.3% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 3.2% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.2% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.6% |
| Information | 0.4% |
Largest cities in Arkansas
Largest counties in Arkansas
Part of Arkansas
Metro areas in Arkansas
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Forrest City, Arkansas has a population of 12,826 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 33rd-largest city in Arkansas.
The median household income in Forrest City, Arkansas is $33,522, with 31.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Forrest City, Arkansas is $87,800, with median monthly rent at $795 and a homeownership rate of 38.0%.
The median age in Forrest City, Arkansas is 36.2 years. The population is 58.7% male and 41.3% female.
The population has declined 19.8% since 2010 (15,387 → 12,340).
More from Arkansas
Population 202,739
Population 97,227
Population 89,496
Population 87,388
Population 79,187
Full rankings of Arkansas cities by population
Statewide data for Arkansas
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Arkansas
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.