Forest
Pennsylvania

What stands out

Against every county in America, Forest County is unusual in three ways: natural-hazard risk is among the safest in America (1 of 100), unemployment is in the top 2% of American counties (6.5%), and population growth is in the bottom 2% of American counties (-2.3% a year). Within Pennsylvania it ranks 2nd of 67 counties for natural-hazard risk, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Forest County, Pennsylvania. 6,959 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 2.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -62).

Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax and exempts all retirement income, including Social Security, pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals after age 59½. It is one of six states with an inheritance tax, which applies even to children at 4.5%. Local earned-income taxes of 1% to nearly 4% apply in most municipalities, and Philadelphia's wage tax is the highest of any city in the country.

Money

The typical household here brings in $46,188 a year, lower than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $57,723. Unemployment runs 6.5%, higher than 98% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

Pennsylvania takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,418 a year.

Home

The median home costs $136K, cheaper than 89% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $569 a month. Property tax is 1.08% of home value, roughly $1,108 a year on that median home, higher than 66% of American counties. 83% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 65% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 73.6 years, shorter than 75% of American counties. There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 9.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.27 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 82% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 40 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 39% of eligible voters turned out. Under Pennsylvania law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 47°F, highs near 58 and lows near 37, colder than 83% of American counties. About 43 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 1 out of 100, safer than almost every county in America; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 125 Mbps down, slower than 80% of American counties. There are 0 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.