Forest, NC town hall & government
Forest spent $2.9 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $390 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Forest's government.
Where Forest's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Utility sales 88%
- Sales taxes 12%
- Interest, fines & other <1%
Who works for Forest
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Rutherford County Schools
Forest's K–12 school district, shared with Bostic, Chimney Rock Village, Ellenboro, Lake Lure, Ruth and Rutherfordton. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from North Carolina districts overall: 26% local, 57% state, 17% federal
- Local 21%
- State 54%
- Federal 25%
Of the $13,859 per pupil, $8,039 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Which schools Forest kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Forest pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Forest's government
Who represents Forest
Forest is represented in Congress by Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd and Representative Tim Moore. Josh Stein is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.