Forest
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The Forest album
Outdoors in Forest
Parks & trails →Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
About Forest
Town in the United StatesForest City, formerly known as "Burnt Chimney", is a town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,377 as of the 2020 census, making it the most populous municipality in the county.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
How Forest ranks
All →Town numbers
Housing in Forest
The typical Forest home is worth about $190,000, up 5.1% in a year, 43% below the North Carolina typical home.
Only 3 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.
Safety in Forest
Safety Grade D-
Forest reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 97% report less.
Work & commute in Forest
Full picture →Most working residents leave Forest for work: only 15% work in town. The top destinations are Charlotte (7%), Rutherfordton (6%) and Spindale (4%). Half commute less than 22 miles.
Health in Forest
Health Grade D−
Healthier than 5% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 37% of towns with similar incomes.
Compared with North Carolina
of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 13 are too close to call.
What stands out
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Natural hazards in Forest
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 51% of U.S. communities.
Climate in Forest
Full climate →Forest has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 90°, a January night drops to 29°, and about 5 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
Schools in Forest
All Forest schools →School Grade B-
The public schools Forest’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 51% of North Carolina’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.
School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within NC. Ratings are from neighbors.
Libraries near Forest
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