Population 7,370 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Forest Hill
Household size in Forest Hill
| Period | Forest Hill | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.09 | 2.61 | 2.68 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.12 | 2.65 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.91 | 2.65 | 2.74 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.90 | 2.59 | 2.68 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.18 | −0.02 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
Forest Hill is a place of big households: 2.90 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.09, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Forest Hill
| Period | Forest Hill | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.7 | 38.7 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.8 | 39.5 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.2 | 40.2 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.4 | 40.3 | 40.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.7 | +1.6 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 44.4, Forest Hill is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.7, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the north, the oldest in the southwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Forest Hill
| Period | Forest Hill | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 12.6% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 12.3% | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 11.6% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.6% | 11.5% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −1.1 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Forest Hill: 8.6% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has barely moved since 2006–10, while the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Forest Hill
Renters in Forest Hill
| Period | Forest Hill | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 32.0% | 31.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.8% | 33.5% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 33.5% | 33.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 3.6% | 33.1% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.3 pts | +1.1 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Forest Hill is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 3.6% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About a third of owners (33.5%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 4.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Forest Hill
| Period | Forest Hill | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 9.3% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.5% | 9.3% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 9.4% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 1.9% | 7.2% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −2.1 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Forest Hill: just 1.9% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy is down 3.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 245 Maryland cities with 5,000+ people, only eight have a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Forest Hill
| Period | Forest Hill | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1986 | 1971 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1988 | 1972 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1990 | 1973 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1975 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Forest Hill has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1989, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1986 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the west.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Forest Hill
| Period | Forest Hill | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,148 | $1,179 | $1,249 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,259 | $1,293 | $1,363 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,519 | $1,477 | $1,576 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,167 | $1,778 | $1,869 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,018 | +$599 | +$620 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Forest Hill costs $2,167 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,018 a month since 2006–10, up 89%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 38.9% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the west; the highest are in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Forest Hill
Bachelor's degrees in Forest Hill
| Period | Forest Hill | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.0% | 35.6% | 36.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 39.7% | 37.3% | 37.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 44.2% | 40.8% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 42.2% | 44.1% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.2 pts | +8.5 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are more common in Forest Hill than nationally: 42.2% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The Baltimore area as a whole looks much the same. The share with a degree has risen 9.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Forest Hill
| Period | Forest Hill | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.3% | 87.8% | 88.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.1% | 89.5% | 89.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.1% | 91.1% | 90.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.4% | 92.1% | 90.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts | +2.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Forest Hill: 96.4% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 5.1 points, as it has nationally. Forest Hill has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Maryland cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Forest Hill
| Period | Forest Hill | Baltimore area | Maryland | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.5% | 6.6% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.9% | 8.3% | 8.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 5.2% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.7% | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | −1.8 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Forest Hill has been strong: just 1.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only 14 of the 245 Maryland cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 1.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Forest Hill compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Hill | 2.90 | 44.4 | 8.6% | 3.6% | 1.9% | 1989 | $2,167 | 42.2% | 96.4% | 1.7% |
| Bel Air North | 2.82 | 41.4 | 7.3% | 10.9% | 2.9% | 1990 | $1,674 | 48.9% | 96.6% | 3.1% |
| Street | 2.76 | 48.7 | 5.2% | 12.6% | 8.7% | 1984 | $1,220 | 30.1% | 94.4% | 1.2% |
| Jarrettsville | 2.65 | 45.6 | 5.8% | 5.6% | 2.5% | 1978 | $1,420 | 41.4% | 96.6% | 3.9% |
| Bel Air | 2.44 | 44.1 | 5.2% | 28.7% | 6.1% | 1981 | $1,443 | 44.7% | 93.9% | 4.2% |
| Fallston | 2.90 | 45.0 | 6.4% | 7.1% | 2.0% | 1983 | $2,015 | 53.1% | 97.9% | 0.7% |
| Pleasant Hills | 2.54 | 49.3 | 2.6% | 3.1% | 7.2% | 1990 | $2,768 | 58.6% | 96.3% | 3.2% |
| Bel Air South | 2.63 | 39.2 | 9.4% | 20.2% | 3.4% | 1990 | $1,791 | 48.7% | 96.2% | 3.7% |
| Churchville | 2.80 | 45.3 | 4.9% | 13.7% | 3.7% | 1972 | $1,411 | 47.6% | 96.2% | 1.8% |
| Pylesville | 2.84 | 44.5 | 4.5% | 7.2% | 6.2% | 1979 | $1,541 | 32.1% | 95.0% | 1.1% |
| Baldwin | 2.92 | 47.1 | 7.7% | 3.3% | 3.1% | 1975 | $1,259 | 53.9% | 96.2% | 1.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Rawlins, WY · Milltown, NJ · Milton, WV · Monee, IL · Monona, WI · Monrovia, MD · Montecito, CA · Monticello, FL · Monticello, GA · Montvale, NJ
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Forest Hill. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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