2007 · Forreston, IL Fire Dept 01 · Wikimedia Commons
Forreston’s story
172 years in pictures
6 postcards, papers and photographs from public archives.
- 1854Forreston is settled
- 2007Forreston, IL Fire Dept 01
- 2012Lazarus Blk Built 1940
ForrestonIL
A town of 1,360, settled in 1854. A deep archive of photos, postcards and papers.
2 bordering townsMap →
Photo: Ben Jacobson (Kranar Drogin) · CC BY 2.5
Population
1,360
−0.8% since 2010
Median home value
$130K
Census ACS
Household income
$71K
median
Median age
40.8
years
Jobs based here
427
A commuter town
What makes Forreston stand out
The thing Forreston does most differently from other towns.
Small town
1,360 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
MarylandForrestonForreston
Forreston’s report card
Now in Forreston
Be the first to start the conversation.
Residents weigh in
Live in Forreston? Is a C+ for health right?
Your answer becomes a post in Forreston’s Town Square.
Start a conversation
Weather
Forecast →64°
Partly Cloudy
Tonight L 46°
Local news
All →- Dakota vs Forreston - Boys Middle School Football 09/29/2026 | Watch Live & On DemandNFHS Network · Sep 29
- Forreston vs Oregon - Boys Middle School Basketball 12/01/2026 | Watch Live & On DemandNFHS Network · Sep 28
- Team Highlights: Varsity Girls Volleyball Dakota High School vs. Forreston High School - DakotaNFHS Network · Sep 24
Upcoming events
Nothing on the calendar.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Forreston. Another town gets a different order.
Natural hazards
Very low risk, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 11% of U.S. communities.
11risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesCold waves
5
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Work & commute
Most working residents commute out of Forreston
Most working residents leave Forreston for work: only 8% work in town. The top destinations are Freeport (19%), Rockford (9%) and Chicago (4%). Half commute less than 20 miles.
8%work in town
Where working residents work
In Forreston8%
Freeport19%
Rockford9%
Chicago4%
Dixon3%
20 mi
median commute distance
427
jobs based in Forreston
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Climate
Four seasons, pleasant summers
Forreston has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 12°, and about 35 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
35″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter16–32°
Spring38–59°
Summer60–82°
Fall40–61°
Oct 7
typical first frost
Apr 29
typical last frost
+1.4°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Health
Healthier than 39% of U.S. towns
Forreston beats the Illinois average on 0 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 7.
C+Health Grade
32 measures vs. Illinois
0 better25 too close to call7 worse
| What stands out | Forreston | IL |
|---|---|---|
| More adults with COPD | 8.5% | 6.3% |
| More smokers | 15.8% | 12.1% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 9.2% | 7.6% |
Fhn Memorial Hospital
12 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, mental health
28th
percentile among IL towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Safety
Crime reported in Forreston
Forreston's reported crime rate is well below Illinois's. Most reported incidents are property crimes, mainly thefts. Violent crime is rare: 3 reported in 2024.
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Forreston2.1
Illinois2.9
U.S.3.6
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Forreston5
Illinois17.7
U.S.17.7
3
violent crimes reported in 2024
7
property crimes reported in 2024
FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to policeFull safety report →
Housing
Homes in Forreston sell for about $137K
The median sale price was $137,000 in April 2026.
$137Kmedian sale price
1
homes sold in April
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →
A commuter town
92% of working residents leave Forreston for work
Where Forreston’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
427jobs based in Forreston
8%of working residents work in town
20 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Forreston
Village in Illinois, United States
Forreston is a village in Ogle County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, Forreston had a population of 1,435.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1854
- Population
- 1,435
- Area
- 0.9 sq mi
- Elevation
- 938 ft
- ZIP code
- 61030
More about Forreston
Still missing for Forreston:upcoming events