Small-town market profile · North Carolina
Forest City, NC area market data
How the Forest City area compares with other small-town markets for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 65,745
- +2.1% since 2020
- Households
- 26,642
- Median household income
- $51,410
- +20.7% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $201,800
- Jobs located here
- 19,241
- Highest market score
- 89
- Insurance agencies, #15 of 537 scored small-town markets
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Forest City area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Forest City area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
The Forest City area has an estimated 65,745 people and 26,642 households. Population estimates put the population change in the Forest City area from 2020 to 2025 at +2.1%, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in the Forest City area is $51,410, 36% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 20.7%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Forest City area runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 139, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on memberships, classes and admissions (52).
Of the business types scored in the Forest City area, insurance agencies (89), gas stations (77) and pet grooming and boarding businesses (69) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For insurance agencies, that ranks #15 of 537 scored small-town markets.
The Forest City area is made up of one county, Rutherford County. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for funeral homes (81% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for gyms and studios (52% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Forest City area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Forest City area with other small-town markets for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among small-town markets | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance agencies | 89 | #15 of 537 | 25 | 9.4 | $2.9M | 231 | 15 |
| Gas stations | 77 | #42 of 536 | 35 | 13.1 | $2.4M | 101 | 31 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 69 | #54 of 387 | 7 | 2.6 | $2.8M | 108 | 4 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 66 | #86 of 535 | 19 | 7.1 | $722K | 109 | 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 62 | #41 of 177 | 6 | 2.3 | Index only | 150 | 3 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 62 | #162 of 536 | 43 | 16.1 | $986K | 112 | 4 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 61 | #174 of 536 | 32 | 12.0 | $1.3M | 104 | 4 |
| Pest control | 59 | #31 of 85 | 5 | 1.9 | $6.7M | 66 | 4 |
| Gyms | 57 | #184 of 506 | 13 | 4.9 | $1.1M | 81 | 3 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 57 | #214 of 537 | 29 | 10.9 | $2.8M | 93 | 41 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 55 | #148 of 378 | 6 | 2.3 | $2.3M | 113 | Under 3 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 55 | #217 of 538 | 232 | 87.1 | $355K | 96 | 91 |
| Grocery stores | 55 | #220 of 506 | 18 | 6.8 | $8M | 86 | 8 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 54 | #225 of 526 | 18 | 6.8 | $1.4M | 143 | 15 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 53 | #166 of 387 | 13 | 4.9 | $2M | 63 | 3 |
| Veterinarians | 53 | #179 of 398 | 9 | 3.4 | $2.1M | 79 | 8 |
| Physical therapy | 53 | #184 of 400 | 9 | 3.4 | $2.8M | 117 | 8 |
| Laundromats | 52 | #67 of 150 | 5 | 1.9 | $8.5M | 68 | Under 3 |
| Property management | 52 | #86 of 180 | 6 | 2.3 | Index only | 105 | 9 |
| Funeral homes | 52 | #164 of 365 | 10 | 3.8 | $410K | 60 | 8 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 52 | #234 of 507 | 21 | 7.9 | $3.9M | 95 | 7 |
| Roofing and gutters | 50 | #142 of 288 | 8 | 3.0 | $8.1M | 96 | Under 3 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 50 | #274 of 538 | 158 | 59.3 | $160K | 105 | 45 |
| Barbershops | 49 | #206 of 377 | 9 | 3.4 | $2.2M | 118 | Under 3 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 49 | #278 of 529 | 27 | 10.1 | $3M | 82 | 7 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 48 | #294 of 538 | 127 | 47.7 | $648K | 98 | 41 |
| Hair salons | 48 | #301 of 538 | 57 | 21.4 | $350K | 81 | 5 |
| Auto repair shops | 47 | #319 of 538 | 86 | 32.3 | $296K | 66 | 19 |
| Electricians | 46 | #175 of 295 | 8 | 3.0 | $8.1M | 67 | 21 |
| Chiropractors | 46 | #243 of 426 | 13 | 4.9 | $1.9M | 81 | 6 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 46 | #268 of 458 | 22 | 8.3 | $1.2M | 65 | 16 |
| Pet businesses | 46 | #325 of 527 | 33 | 12.4 | $584K | 67 | 12 |
| Pizza | 45 | #307 of 520 | 25 | 9.4 | $3.3M | 65 | 41 |
| Auto repair and car care | 45 | #329 of 538 | 141 | 52.9 | $180K | 67 | 33 |
| Pet stores | 44 | #135 of 220 | 7 | 2.6 | $2.8M | 61 | Under 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | 43 | #285 of 441 | 17 | 6.4 | $1.5M | 59 | 4 |
| Child care and preschools | 43 | #291 of 454 | 12 | 4.5 | $703K | 70 | 15 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 43 | #355 of 538 | 62 | 23.3 | $2.3M | 68 | 17 |
| Nail salons | 42 | #252 of 387 | 11 | 4.1 | $1.8M | 109 | Under 3 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 42 | #370 of 538 | 109 | 40.9 | $183K | 86 | 11 |
| Tire shops | 41 | #293 of 431 | 18 | 6.8 | $1.4M | 56 | 6 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 41 | #313 of 481 | 28 | 10.5 | $1.2M | 71 | 40 |
| Spas and skin care | 40 | #375 of 504 | 31 | 11.6 | $644K | 73 | 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 39 | #281 of 399 | 20 | 7.5 | $1.7M | 57 | 28 |
| Home repair trades | 38 | #403 of 526 | 38 | 14.3 | $1.7M | 70 | 42 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 37 | #374 of 476 | 22 | 8.3 | $2.9M | 62 | 21 |
| Convenience stores | 37 | #397 of 529 | 32 | 12.0 | $4.5M | 57 | 9 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 37 | #430 of 533 | 51 | 19.1 | Index only | 126 | 21 |
| Real estate | 36 | #442 of 536 | 65 | 24.4 | Index only | 125 | 37 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.5 | $6.3M | 202 | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.1 | $11.2M | 175 | 8 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.1 | $8.5M | 62 | 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.8 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | 3 |
Household spending in the Forest City area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $25.4M | $954 | 100 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $84.2M | $3,161 | 122 |
| Food away from home | $82.3M | $3,088 | 76 |
| Groceries | $143.4M | $5,381 | 85 |
| Personal care products and services | $20M | $749 | 75 |
| Child care and other personal services | $8.4M | $317 | 55 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $13.7M | $515 | 52 |
| Medical and dental services | $25.3M | $950 | 74 |
| Pets | $19.3M | $724 | 80 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $42.4M | $1,591 | 77 |
| Vehicle insurance | $72.7M | $2,727 | 139 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $64.8M | $2,432 | 81 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $33.6M | $1,261 | 89 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $351.3M | $13,185 | 79 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Forest City area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 65,745+2.1% since 2020
- Households
- 26,642
- Median age
- 44.8
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 74%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.1
- Land area
- 565 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 115
- Median household income
- $51,410+20.7% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $72,230
- Median home value
- $201,800
- Jobs located here
- 19,241
- Daytime population
- 55,091Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Forest City area?
These figures cover the whole small-town market. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Forest City area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Forest City area 1
- Rutherford County, NC64,930 people
Other markets based in North Carolina 12
- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area2,768,407 people
- Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area1,487,302 people
- Greensboro-High Point, NC metro area786,419 people
- Winston-Salem, NC metro area689,766 people
- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area601,724 people
- Wilmington, NC metro area453,347 people
- Asheville, NC metro area414,711 people
- Fayetteville, NC metro area392,380 people
- Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area368,316 people
- Jacksonville, NC metro area207,906 people
- Greenville, NC metro area177,193 people
- Burlington, NC metro area176,893 people
Questions
How fast is the Forest City, NC area growing?
Population estimates put the Forest City area at 65,745 people in 2025, up 2.1% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 26,642 households. Median household income rose 20.7% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in the Forest City, NC area spend?
Households in the Forest City area spend about $351.3M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $143.4M on groceries and $84.2M on gasoline and other fuels. Set against the U.S., households in the Forest City area spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 139, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on memberships, classes and admissions (52).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Forest City, NC area?
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Forest City area are for insurance agencies (89), gas stations (77) and pet grooming and boarding businesses (69). The Forest City area ranks #15 of 537 scored small-town markets for insurance agencies.
How does the Forest City, NC area compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in the Forest City area is $51,410 a year, 36% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 2.1% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $201,800, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, the Forest City area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for funeral homes (81% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for gyms and studios (52% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. A small-town market is a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people and the county or counties tied to it by commuting. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 49 of the 56 business types have a score in the Forest City area, each ranked against other small-town markets.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Forest City area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in North Carolina · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the Forest City area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Forest City area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.