countyscore
54.7
County Score
Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 80.1Cost of Living 78.1

County Report Card

About Forest County, Pennsylvania

Outperforming the National Median Score

Forest County achieves a composite score of 54.7, exceeding the national median of 50.0. This score indicates a higher-than-average quality of life compared to many U.S. counties.

Leading the Pennsylvania State Average

With a score of 54.7, Forest outperforms the Pennsylvania state average of 51.8. It stands out as one of the more resilient rural counties in the Commonwealth.

Clean Water and Low Environmental Risk

The county excels in environmental quality, earning a massive 86.0 for water and 80.1 for low risk. Housing is also highly accessible, with a cost score of 78.1 and home values averaging $111,900.

Gaps in Income and Healthcare

Economic opportunities are limited, reflected by a very low income score of 14.6 and a $50,061 median income. Health outcomes also lag behind, with a dimension score of 31.9 indicating room for improvement.

A Haven for Outdoor Enthusiasts

This county is a haven for retirees or remote workers who prioritize clean water and environmental safety. It is perfect for those with independent income who value a quiet, low-cost lifestyle.

Score breakdown

Tax35.3Cost78.1Safety58.9Health31.9Schools59.5Income14.6Risk80.1Water86Weather58.5
🏛35.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡58.9
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤31.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓59.5
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡80.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤58.5
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱65.1
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Clarion County
Pennsylvania
58.4
Venango County
Pennsylvania
56.8
Jefferson County
Pennsylvania
60.8
Warren County
Pennsylvania
52.3
Elk County
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Armstrong County
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McKean County
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Crawford County
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52.4

Deep Dives

Forest County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Forest County

via TaxByCounty

Forest offers Pennsylvania's most tax-friendly outlook

Forest County's effective tax rate of 1.038% ranks well below the national median of 1.317%, placing it in roughly the 30th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,162 is less than half the national median of $2,690.

Forest ranks among Pennsylvania's lowest-tax counties

At 1.038%, Forest's effective rate is the lowest among the eight counties analyzed and well below the state average of 1.317%. The median tax bill of $1,162 is approximately $1,495 lower than the state median, offering substantial savings for property owners.

Forest has the region's lowest tax burden

Forest's 1.038% rate is the lowest in the region, beating Huntingdon County (0.914% rate but higher value homes) on effective burden and significantly undercutting Fayette, Erie, and all other nearby counties. A Forest homeowner pays roughly $500–$1,100 less annually than most regional peers.

Median Forest home costs about $1,162 yearly

A typical Forest home worth $111,900 carries an annual property tax bill of just $1,162. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $1,372; without one, it drops to $1,024.

Even in low-tax Forest, appeals can yield savings

Hundreds of Pennsylvania homeowners win assessment appeals every year. If you suspect your home is overvalued, a formal appeal could reduce your already-low Forest County tax bill further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Forest County

via CostByCounty

Forest County Faces Serious Housing Burden

Forest County's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these eight counties and notably exceeds both the national average of 15.8% and Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%. With a median household income of just $50,061—32% below the national median—housing costs consume an outsized share of local earnings.

Forest County Struggles with Affordability

At 19.4%, Forest County ranks among Pennsylvania's least affordable counties for renters, with a rent-to-income ratio nearly 3 percentage points above the state average. This burden reflects both modest local incomes and housing costs that haven't aligned with the county's economic capacity.

Forest County Renters Face Regional Strain

Forest County's $808 monthly rent exceeds Fayette ($771) and Greene ($754) but trails Franklin ($1,071), yet the real problem is Forest's $50,061 median income—the lowest in this group by far. This income-to-rent mismatch creates the highest affordability pressure in the region.

Nearly One-Fifth of Income Goes to Rent

Forest County renters earning a median $50,061 annually spend $808 monthly on rent, consuming 19.4% of gross income—well above the recommended 30% threshold for housing stability. Homeowners fare better at $481 monthly, suggesting ownership may offer more breathing room than renting in Forest County.

Forest County: Weigh Costs Carefully

If relocating to Forest County, carefully budget housing expenses—renters face the region's tightest affordability squeeze at 19.4% of income. Compare Forest's rental burden against nearby Fayette ($771 rent, 16.5% ratio) or Greene ($754 rent, 13.5% ratio) to understand your true financial impact.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Forest County

via IncomeByCounty

Forest County faces severe income gap

Forest County's median household income of $50,061 trails the national median of $74,755 by $24,694—the widest gap among these eight counties. This substantial shortfall reflects the economic isolation and limited job diversity facing this rural northwestern community.

Pennsylvania's lowest income county here

At $50,061, Forest County's median household income ranks among the lowest in Pennsylvania, sitting $19,553 below the state average of $69,614. The county faces concentrated economic challenges that require sustained policy and investment attention.

Forest underperforms all regional peers

Forest County's $50,061 income lags every comparison county, including Fayette ($56,093), Indiana ($58,739), and Erie ($61,476). This performance gap underscores Forest's unique economic vulnerability within the broader northwestern region.

Housing costs consume higher share

Forest County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.4% exceeds the national comfort threshold, meaning housing consumes a larger portion of already-limited incomes. At $111,900, median home values remain low, but stretched household budgets limit buying power.

Focus on income growth and stability

Forest County households earning $50,061 should prioritize job skills development and career advancement as the primary wealth-building tool. Even modest income increases translate to meaningful savings potential; exploring remote work, education credits, and financial counseling strengthens economic resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Forest County

via CrimeByCounty

Forest County Surpasses National Safety Benchmarks

With a safety score of 98.5, Forest County ranks as a very secure area by national standards. Its total crime rate of 948.4 per 100K is far below the national average of 2,385.5.

Forest County Matches Pennsylvania State Average

The county's safety score of 98.5 perfectly aligns with the Pennsylvania state average. Its total crime rate of 948.4 per 100K is nearly identical to the state's overall average of 932.4.

Comparing Safety Across Rural Pennsylvania

Forest County's rate of 948.4 per 100K is slightly higher than Huntingdon's 861.2. The data, provided by 3 reporting agencies, shows a very stable and quiet environment for the region.

A Look at Violent and Property Crime

The county records 287.4 violent crimes and 661.0 property crimes per 100K residents. While violent crime is higher than the state average of 142.2, the overall incident volume remains low.

Maintaining Peace in Forest County

Residential security is the foundation of a safe neighborhood in Forest County. Even in quiet areas, keeping doors locked and using outdoor sensors provides important peace of mind.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Forest County

via HealthByCounty

Forest County faces the nation's health crisis

At 70.9 years, Forest County residents live nearly 5.2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, marking one of the country's most troubled health profiles. Nearly 1 in 4 adults (23.8%) report poor or fair health—far above the 17.9% national average—indicating widespread chronic disease and limited access to preventive care.

Forest County ranks lowest in Pennsylvania

Forest County's 70.9-year life expectancy is the lowest in Pennsylvania, trailing the state average of 76.4 years by 5.5 years. This severe gap reflects decades of economic decline, limited healthcare infrastructure, and persistent poverty that demand urgent state and federal attention.

Forest faces bleakest health in the region

Forest County's 70.9-year life expectancy is 1.6 years lower than Fayette County (72.5), its closest struggling peer, and more than 6 years below Franklin County (77.2). The county reports limited primary care provider data and just 47 mental health providers per 100K, suggesting severe healthcare infrastructure gaps that isolate residents from essential services.

Uninsured and underserved in rural isolation

Forest's 7.7% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.0%, and with primary care provider data unavailable, the county likely faces acute shortages in routine medical access. This combination—higher uninsurance plus minimal reported provider capacity—creates a perfect storm where residents lack both coverage and nearby doctors.

Securing coverage is your first critical step

In a county with severe healthcare shortages, having insurance is essential to accessing available services. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov immediately to explore Medicaid (which may have expanded options) and Marketplace plans; some community health centers also offer sliding-scale care regardless of insurance status.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Forest County

via SchoolsByCounty

Forest County’s Intimate School Network

Forest County operates a highly focused educational system with just four public schools consolidated into a single district. Serving only 352 students total, the county maintains two elementary and two high schools. This small-scale infrastructure ensures that almost every student receives individualized attention within the Forest Area School District.

High Investment and Strong Academic Scores

Forest County invests heavily in its students with a per-pupil expenditure of $14,731, which surpasses both state ($10,336) and national ($13,000) averages. While the graduation rate is 84%, the county achieves an impressive composite school score of 67.1. This score is significantly higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 60.9 and the national median of 50.0.

Single District Focus in Forest Area

All educational activities are managed by the Forest Area School District, which serves the entire county's student population. There are no charter schools in the county, emphasizing the role of the traditional district in community life. This centralized approach simplifies administration and keeps resources focused on the four local campuses.

The Essence of Rural Education

Every school in Forest County is classified as rural, reflecting the county’s natural landscape. The average school size is just 88 students, with West Forest Elementary being the largest at 114 students and East Forest Junior-Senior High being the smallest at 62. Attending school here feels like being part of a small, extended family where everyone is known by name.

Relocate to a Dedicated Rural Community

Forest County is an ideal destination for families seeking a quiet lifestyle and small class sizes. With per-pupil spending that leads the region, homes here offer proximity to a high-investment school district. Consider this unique area if you value a high-scoring, intimate educational environment for your children.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Forest County

via RiskByCounty

Forest County sits among safest counties

With a composite risk score of just 19.91, Forest County ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for natural disaster risk—a "Very Low" rating. This stands in sharp contrast to the typical U.S. county and makes Forest one of the nation's safer places from a hazard perspective.

Lowest-risk county in Pennsylvania

Forest County's 19.91 composite score is by far the lowest in Pennsylvania, where the state average sits at 67.45. This represents less than 30% of the state average, reflecting exceptional protection across most hazard types.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Forest's 19.91 score is a fraction of neighboring Warren County and Venango County's exposure. The county's remote, sparsely populated geography and distance from major fault lines and coastal areas drive this unusually low risk profile.

Hurricane risk outpaces all other hazards

Even in low-risk Forest County, hurricane risk ranks highest at 52.07, though this remains moderate compared to coastal states. Wildfire risk is negligible at 4.77, and tornado risk minimal at 13.99.

Standard homeowner's insurance sufficient

Forest County residents can rely on standard homeowner's insurance policies without specialized flood or wildfire riders. An annual policy review remains prudent, but Forest offers natural disaster protection that most American counties cannot match.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Forest County

via WeatherByCounty

Deep Woods Continental Climate

Forest County aligns with the regional norm, posting an annual average temperature of 49.9°F. This humid continental profile features a wide thermal range between snowy winters and warm summers.

The State's Thermal Center

The county matches the Pennsylvania state average of 49.9°F exactly. It also sees 46.7 inches of annual precipitation, staying very close to the state mean of 45.3 inches.

Warmer Than Lake Erie

Forest is nearly a full degree warmer on average than nearby Erie and Indiana counties. However, it experiences 9 days of extreme heat, tripling Erie's frequency of 90°F days.

Consistent Snow and Fair Summers

Annual snowfall totals 62.6 inches, which is significantly higher than the southern counties but lower than the lakefront. Summer peaks in July at 71.9°F, providing a pleasant escape from more humid regions.

Prepare for Dual Extremes

Invest in reliable snow tires for the 60-inch winters and efficient cooling for the July heat. The balanced climate requires a dual focus on winterization and summer ventilation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Forest County

via SoilByCounty

Mysterious Profiles in the Forest

Forest County currently has limited digital soil survey data regarding its average pH and taxonomic classification. Local growers typically encounter the acidic, forest-floor conditions common across the Allegheny Plateau.

Analyzing Natural Earth Textures

Specific percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not available for this county in the current dataset. Observations of neighboring regions suggest a stony, loamy mix that characterizes the rugged Pennsylvania highlands.

Natural Potential in the Wilds

While available water capacity data is missing, the county's lush vegetation points to a healthy, natural ecosystem. Gardeners should perform a local soil test to determine specific nutrient needs before planting.

Navigating Forest Hydrology

Hydrologic data is not currently recorded for this area, but the steep topography of the county generally dictates drainage patterns. Expect faster runoff on slopes and potential moisture collection in the valley floors.

Short Seasons in Zone 6a

Forest County sits in USDA Zone 6a, offering a slightly shorter growing season than its southern neighbors. Focus on cold-hardy crops and take pride in gardening within one of the state's most pristine natural environments.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Forest County

via LawnByCounty

A High Elevation Advantage for Forest County

A lawn difficulty score of 65.1 puts Forest County well ahead of the national average of 50.0. This Zone 6a region offers cooler conditions that favor northern turf varieties better than many other parts of Pennsylvania.

Consistent Rain and Manageable Summer Heat

The county receives 46.7 inches of annual precipitation, slightly above the state average. With 9 extreme heat days per year, the climate provides a comfortable 2858 growing degree days that prevent the turf burnout often seen in hotter counties.

Local Testing Is Key for Healthy Turf

Specific soil data for pH and texture is currently unavailable for Forest County. Homeowners should perform independent soil tests to determine if their yards require the lime or phosphorus typical of Pennsylvania's forested regions.

Recent Dry Spells Demand Extra Care

Unlike its neighbors, Forest County faced 26 weeks in drought over the last year, and 100.0% of the area is currently abnormally dry. Homeowners should focus on deep, infrequent watering early in the morning to maximize moisture retention.

Start Seeding After the May Frost

Wait until after May 1st to seed your Zone 6a lawn to avoid late-season freezes. The growing window closes fairly early here, as the first fall frost typically arrives by October 25th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Forest County's county score?
Forest County, Pennsylvania has a composite county score of 54.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Forest County rank among counties in Pennsylvania?
Forest County ranks #27 among all counties in Pennsylvania on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Forest County, Pennsylvania?
The median annual property tax in Forest County is $1,162, with an effective tax rate of 1.04%. This earns Forest County a tax score of 35.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Forest County?
The median household income in Forest County, Pennsylvania is $50,061 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Forest County earns an income score of 14.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Forest County, Pennsylvania a good place to live?
Forest County scores 54.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #27 in Pennsylvania. The best way to evaluate Forest County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Forest County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.