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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement {{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Forest City, North Carolina | official_name = Forest City, North Carolina
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| image_caption = Main Street | image_caption = Main Street
| image_seal = Forest City, NC Town Seal.jpg | image_seal = Forest City, NC Town Seal.jpg
| nickname = | nickname The F =
| motto = <!-- Maps --> | motto = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map = NCMap-doton-ForestCity.PNG | image_map = NCMap-doton-ForestCity.PNG
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| mapsize1 = | mapsize1 =
| map_caption1 = <!-- Location --> | map_caption1 = <!-- Location -->
| coordinates = {{coord|35|19|52|N|81|52|12|W|region:US|display=inline,title}} | coordinates = {{coord|35|20|02|N|81|52|13|W|region:US|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = ] | subdivision_type = ]
| subdivision_name = United States | subdivision_name = United States
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| area_water_km2 = 0.04 | area_water_km2 = 0.04
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.02 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.02
| elevation_footnotes = | elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m = 319 | elevation_ft = 1011
<!-- Population -->
| elevation_ft = 1047
<!-- Population -->| population_footnotes = | population_footnotes =
| population_total = 7377 | population_total = 7377
| population_as_of = ] | population_as_of = ]
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| area_code = ] | area_code = ]
| blank_name = ] | blank_name = ]
| blank_info = 37-24080<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> | blank_info = 37-24080<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name = ] feature ID | blank1_name = ] feature ID
| blank1_info = 1020302<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref> | blank1_info = 2406505<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2406505}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|http://www.townofforestcity.com/}} | website = {{URL|http://www.townofforestcity.com/}}
| footnotes = | footnotes =
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| population_est = | population_est =
}} }}
'''Forest City,''' formerly known as "Burnt Chimney,"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.townofforestcity.com/historyNfacts.html |title=History and Facts |publisher=Town of Forest City |access-date=2012-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512231252/http://www.townofforestcity.com/historyNfacts.html |archive-date=2012-05-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is a town in ], ], United States. The population was 7,377 as of the 2020 ], making it the largest municipality in ]. '''Forest City''', formerly known as "Burnt Chimney,"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.townofforestcity.com/historyNfacts.html |title=History and Facts |publisher=Town of Forest City |access-date=December 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512231252/http://www.townofforestcity.com/historyNfacts.html |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is a town in ], ], United States. The population was 7,377 as of the ], making it the most populous municipality in ].


==History== ==History==
The ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] are listed on the ].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> The ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] are listed on the ].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> The ] took place there in 1900.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2016 |title=Forest City Lynching - North Carolina History |url=https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/forest-city-lynching/ |access-date=March 3, 2024 |website=North Carolina History - |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Geography== ==Geography==


Forest City is located at {{coord|35|19|52|N|81|52|12|W|type:city}} (35.331128, -81.870107).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The town lies along a merged stretch of ] and ]. This merged highway widens into a four-lane ] as it passes through the town's historic district. The town of ] borders Forest City to the west, and the town of ] lies just to the northeast. Forest City lies along a merged stretch of ] and ]. This merged highway widens into a four-lane ] as it passes through the town's historic district. The town of ] borders Forest City to the west, and the town of ] lies just to the northeast.


According to the ], the town has a total area of {{convert|8.2|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|8.2|sqmi|km2}} are land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} (0.24%) is water. According to the ], the town has a total area of {{convert|8.2|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|8.2|sqmi|km2}} are land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} (0.24%) is water.


In 1999, ] merged with and became a part of Forest City.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 February 1999 |title=GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 1999 |url=https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/1999/Bills/House/PDF/H44v2.pdf |access-date=3 July 2022 |website=Microsoft Word - H44v2.doc}}</ref> In 1999, ] merged with and became a part of Forest City.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 8, 1999 |title=GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 1999 |url=https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/1999/Bills/House/PDF/H44v2.pdf |access-date=July 3, 2022 |website=Microsoft Word - H44v2.doc}}</ref>


==Demographics== ==Demographics==
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===2020 census=== ===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Forest City racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3724080&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-21|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> |+Forest City racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3724080&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 21, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race !scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number !scope="col"| Number
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===2014=== ===2014===
The population recorded for the town in 2014 was recorded to be 7,324 people. Forest City made up 0.002% of the total U.S. population and 0.07% of the total North Carolina State population in 2014. <ref>{{cite web |title=Population of Forest City, North Carolina |url=https://population.us/nc/forest-city/ |website=Populations |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref> The number of households reported from 2014 to 2018 was 3,182 and the number of people per household was reported to be 2.23. The percentage of people aged 5 or older that speak a language other than English at home was 8.4% as recorded from 2014 to 2018. The population density in 2014 was 853.12 per square mile (p/mi^2). The racial makeup of the town was 70.5% white alone, 23.9% black alone, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native alone, 0.6% Asian alone, 0.2% two or more races, 9.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race, and 66.5% white alone, not Hispanic or Latino. The number of veterans recorded from 2014 to 2018 was 278. The percentage of foreign-born persons was recorded from 2014 to 2018 as 3.6% of the population. The population recorded for the town in 2014 was recorded to be 7,324 people. Forest City made up 0.002% of the total U.S. population and 0.07% of the total North Carolina State population in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Population of Forest City, North Carolina |url=https://population.us/nc/forest-city/ |website=Populations |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> The number of households reported from 2014 to 2018 was 3,182 and the number of people per household was reported to be 2.23. The percentage of people aged 5 or older that speak a language other than English at home was 8.4% as recorded from 2014 to 2018. The population density in 2014 was 853.12 per square mile (p/mi^2). The racial makeup of the town was 70.5% white alone, 23.9% black alone, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native alone, 0.6% Asian alone, 0.2% two or more races, 9.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race, and 66.5% white alone, not Hispanic or Latino. The number of veterans recorded from 2014 to 2018 was 278. The percentage of foreign-born persons was recorded from 2014 to 2018 as 3.6% of the population.


There were 3,245 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were ] living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.90. There were 3,245 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were ] living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.90.


The reported percentage of people under the age of five years old in the town was 6.2%. The percentage of people under the age of 18 years old was 25.5%. The percentage of people 65 years old and over was 20.5%. The percentage of female persons was 55.3%, making the percentage of male persons 44.7%. The reported percentage of people under the age of five years old in the town was 6.2%. The percentage of people under the age of 18 years old was 25.5%. The percentage of people 65 years old and over was 20.5%. The percentage of female persons was 55.3%, making the percentage of male persons 44.7%.

The median household income from 2014 to 2018, in terms of the worth of the dollar in 2018, was $27,861. The income per capita for the prior 12 months, as recorded from 2014 to 2018, was $17,716. The percentage of persons in poverty was 31.8%. <ref>{{cite web |title=Forest City town, North Carolina |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/forestcitytownnorthcarolina/AFN120212#qf-flag-X |website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref>


The median household income from 2014 to 2018, in terms of the worth of the dollar in 2018, was $27,861. The income per capita for the prior 12 months, as recorded from 2014 to 2018, was $17,716. The percentage of persons in poverty was 31.8%.<ref name="Forest City town, North Carolina">{{cite web |title=Forest City town, North Carolina |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/forestcitytownnorthcarolina/AFN120212#qf-flag-X |website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>


==Government == ==Government ==
]
The Town of Forest City<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.townofforestcity.com/home.html |title=Welcome to the Town of Forest City |publisher=Town of Forest City, NC |access-date=2012-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512230028/http://www.townofforestcity.com/home.html |archive-date=2012-05-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is governed by a mayor and a board of commissioners. Steve Holland is currently serving as the Mayor of The Town of Forest City. The Town Board of Commissioners<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.townofforestcity.com/mayor.html |title=MAYOR AND BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS |publisher=Town of Forest City, NC |access-date=2012-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512231116/http://www.townofforestcity.com/mayor.html |archive-date=2012-05-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> includes: Mayor Pro-Tem, Dr. Dee Dee Bright, Com. Chris Lee, Com. Shawn Moore, Com. Justin Conner, and Com. David Eaker. In 1929 the mayor was Charles Z. Flack. He is noted for building the original City Hall and was the first mayor to begin the tradition of decorating Main St. by stringing Christmas lights over the road. The Town of Forest City<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.townofforestcity.com/home.html |title=Welcome to the Town of Forest City |publisher=Town of Forest City, NC |access-date=May 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512230028/http://www.townofforestcity.com/home.html |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is governed by a mayor and a board of commissioners. Steve Holland is currently serving as the mayor of The Town of Forest City. The Town Board of Commissioners<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.townofforestcity.com/mayor.html |title=MAYOR AND BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS |publisher=Town of Forest City, NC |access-date=May 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512231116/http://www.townofforestcity.com/mayor.html |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> includes: Mayor Pro-Tem, Dr. Dee Dee Bright, Com. Chris Lee, Com. Shawn Moore, Com. Justin Conner, and Com. David Eaker. In 1929 the mayor was Charles Z. Flack. He is noted for building the original City Hall and was the first mayor to begin the tradition of decorating Main St. by stringing Christmas lights over the road.


==Attractions== ==Attractions==
Forest City has many museums, ranging from the Rutherford County Farm Museum to the Bennett Classical Auto Museum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bennettclassics.com/|title=Bennett Classics Antique Auto Museum|website=www.bennettclassics.com}}</ref> Forest City has several museums, including the Rutherford County Farm Museum, the Bennett Classical Auto Museum,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bennettclassics.com/|title=Bennett Classics Antique Auto Museum|website=www.bennettclassics.com}}</ref> and the Carolina Arcade Museum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064072420803|title=Carolina Arcade Museum Facebook page|website=www.facebook.com}}</ref>


Forest City is also home to the ] baseball club which is a member of the ], a ]. The Owls, who play at ] in Forest City, won the CPL championship in 2009 with a record of 51-9, again in 2010 and were ranked as the #1 collegiate summer team in America. Forest City is also home to the ] baseball club which is a member of the ], a ]. The Owls, who play at ] in Forest City, won the CPL championship in 2009 with a record of 51–9, again in 2010 and were ranked as the #1 collegiate summer team in America.


==Education== ==Education==
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== Higher education == == Higher education ==
Isothermal Community College is located close by in Spindale, NC. The tuition ranges from $131.00 to $1,281.00 depending on the number of credit hours. <ref>{{cite web |title=Tuition Rate Schedule |url=https://www.isothermal.edu/services/advising-success/advising/tuition-rates.html |website=Isothermal Community College |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref> The college provides the Lee L. Powers Service Scholarship to those who reside in Rutherford or Polk Counties and receive in-state tuition which will cover all costs of attending the college. <ref>{{cite web |title=Lee L. Powers Service Scholarship |url=https://www.isothermal.edu/powers/index.html |website=Isothermal Community College |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref> Isothermal Community College is located close by in Spindale, NC. The tuition ranges from $131.00 to $1,281.00 depending on the number of credit hours.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tuition Rate Schedule |url=https://www.isothermal.edu/services/advising-success/advising/tuition-rates.html |website=Isothermal Community College |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> The college provides the Lee L. Powers Service Scholarship to those who reside in Rutherford or Polk Counties and receive in-state tuition which will cover all costs of attending the college.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lee L. Powers Service Scholarship |url=https://www.isothermal.edu/powers/index.html |website=Isothermal Community College |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>


==Economy== ==Economy==
In 2010, Forest City was selected as the location for a new $450 million data center for ].<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325004727/http://www.facebook.com/rutherfordDataCenter |date=March 25, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://rutherfordncedc.com/Facebooks-Data-Center-Project-Hires-Locally.html |title=Rutherford County 12/07/10 - Facebook's Data Center Project Hires Locally |publisher=Rutherfordncedc.com |date=2010-12-07 |access-date=2012-12-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703030231/http://www.rutherfordncedc.com/Facebooks-Data-Center-Project-Hires-Locally.html |archive-date=2013-07-03 }}</ref> In 2010, Forest City was selected as the location for a new $450 million data center for ].<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325004727/http://www.facebook.com/rutherfordDataCenter|date=March 25, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://rutherfordncedc.com/Facebooks-Data-Center-Project-Hires-Locally.html |title=Rutherford County 12/07/10 - Facebook's Data Center Project Hires Locally |publisher=Rutherfordncedc.com |date=December 7, 2010 |access-date=December 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703030231/http://www.rutherfordncedc.com/Facebooks-Data-Center-Project-Hires-Locally.html |archive-date=July 3, 2013 }}</ref>


Renovations done to the town in 2019 added Forest City Pavilion on Park Square. The venue was designed by Odom Engineering, PLLC. This was a multimillion-dollar project that was undertaken by the town that attracts tourists and increased the value of surrounding homes. <ref>{{cite web |title=Forest City Pavilion On Park Square |url=https://www.townofforestcity.com/forest-city-pavilion-on-park-square |website=Town of Forest City |date=22 August 2017 |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref> Renovations done to the town in 2019 added Forest City Pavilion on Park Square. The venue was designed by Odom Engineering, PLLC. This was a multimillion-dollar project that was undertaken by the town that attracts tourists and increased the value of surrounding homes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Forest City Pavilion On Park Square |url=https://www.townofforestcity.com/forest-city-pavilion-on-park-square |website=Town of Forest City |date=August 22, 2017 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>


The Thermal Belt Rail Trail project, a bike and walking trail spanning 13.36 miles, was completed, in part, to develop the town’s economy. <ref>{{cite web |title=Thermal Belt Rail Trail |url=https://www.townofforestcity.com/thermal-belt-rail-trail |website=Town of Forest City |date=21 February 2018 |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref> The Thermal Belt Rail Trail project, a bike and walking trail spanning 13.36 miles, was completed, in part, to develop the town's economy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thermal Belt Rail Trail |url=https://www.townofforestcity.com/thermal-belt-rail-trail |website=Town of Forest City |date=February 21, 2018 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>


The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and Rutherford County Economic Development partnered to offer an Emergency Small Business Assistance Grant in response to the pandemic caused by the spread of COVID-19. The grant provides a maximum of $2,500 per company. <ref>{{cite web |title=COVID-19 |url=https://www.townofforestcity.com/covid-19 |website=Town of Forest City |date=18 March 2020 |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref> The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and Rutherford County Economic Development partnered to offer an Emergency Small Business Assistance Grant in response to the pandemic caused by the spread of COVID-19. The grant provides a maximum of $2,500 per company.<ref>{{cite web |title=COVID-19 |url=https://www.townofforestcity.com/covid-19 |website=Town of Forest City |date=March 18, 2020 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>


The total percentage of people aged 16 and older in Forest City that made up the labor force according to the census reported from 2014 to 2018 was 48.7%. The percentage of women recorded in the labor force aged 16 or older was 45.9% from 2014 to 2018 according to information provided by the census. The total number of people that received health care and social assistance receipts/revenue in 2012 ($1,000) was 87,506. The total retail sales reported in 2012 ($1,000) was 403,012. <ref>{{cite web |title=Forest City town, North Carolina |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/forestcitytownnorthcarolina/AFN120212#qf-flag-X |website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref> The total percentage of people aged 16 and older in Forest City that made up the labor force according to the census reported from 2014 to 2018 was 48.7%. The percentage of women recorded in the labor force aged 16 or older was 45.9% from 2014 to 2018 according to information provided by the census. The total number of people that received health care and social assistance receipts/revenue in 2012 ($1,000) was 87,506. The total retail sales reported in 2012 ($1,000) was 403,012.<ref name="Forest City town, North Carolina"/>


==Notable people== ==Notable people==
* ], former ] pitcher<ref>. ''Baseball-Reference''.</ref> * ] {{ndash}} former ] pitcher<ref>. ''Baseball-Reference''.</ref>
* ] {{ndash}} statistics educator<ref>{{cite web|first=Christine A.|last=Franklin|url=https://www.stat.uga.edu/sites/default/files/CFranklin%20Vita%202018.pdf|title=Curriculum vitae, short version|year=2018|publisher=University of Georgia Department of Statistics|access-date=March 19, 2024}}</ref>
* ], former MLB pitcher<ref>. ''ESPN''. Retrieved August 24, 2022.</ref> * ] {{ndash}} former MLB pitcher<ref>. ''ESPN''. Retrieved August 24, 2022.</ref>
* ], 12th President of ]
* ] {{Ndash}} former ] driver<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Jean |date=March 1, 2023 |title=McFadden looks back on racing career and why he called it quits |url=https://www.rutherfordweekly.com/mcfadden-looks-back-on-racing-career-and-why-he-called-it-quits-cms-12525 |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Rutherford Weekly}}</ref>
* ], professional ] player<ref>. ''ESPN''. Retrieved August 24, 2022.</ref>
* ], professional basketball player<ref>. ''Basketball-Reference''.</ref> * ] {{ndash}} professional ] player<ref>. ''ESPN''. Retrieved August 24, 2022.</ref>
* ] {{ndash}} professional basketball player<ref>. ''Basketball-Reference''.</ref>
* ], businessman, philanthropist, and sports executive<ref>. ''wyff4.com''. Retrieved August 24, 2022.</ref> * ] {{ndash}} businessman, philanthropist, and sports executive<ref>. ''wyff4.com''. Retrieved August 24, 2022.</ref>
* ] {{Ndash}} physician and researcher<ref>{{Cite book |last=Davis |first=Anita Price |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X5YbXpHjpucC&q=bostic&pg=PA6 |title=Legendary Locals of Rutherford County |date=2013 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-1-4671-0064-9 |pages=114 |language=en}}</ref>


==References== ==References==

Latest revision as of 06:48, 11 October 2024

Town in North Carolina, United States
Forest City, North Carolina
Town
Main StreetMain Street
Official seal of Forest City, North CarolinaSeal
Location of Forest City, North CarolinaLocation of Forest City, North Carolina
Coordinates: 35°20′02″N 81°52′13″W / 35.33389°N 81.87028°W / 35.33389; -81.87028
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountyRutherford
Area
 • Total8.59 sq mi (22.23 km)
 • Land8.57 sq mi (22.19 km)
 • Water0.02 sq mi (0.04 km)
Elevation1,011 ft (308 m)
Population
 • Total7,377
 • Density860.89/sq mi (332.40/km)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code28043
Area code828
FIPS code37-24080
GNIS feature ID2406505
Websitewww.townofforestcity.com

Forest 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 Rutherford County.

History

The Alexander Manufacturing Company Mill Village Historic District, Cool Springs High School, East Main Street Historic District, Forest City Baptist Church, James Dexter Ledbetter House, Main Street Historic District, T. Max Watson House, and West Main Street Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Forest City lynching took place there in 1900.

Geography

Forest City lies along a merged stretch of U.S. Route 221A and U.S. Route 74 Bus. This merged highway widens into a four-lane boulevard as it passes through the town's historic district. The town of Spindale borders Forest City to the west, and the town of Bostic lies just to the northeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 8.2 square miles (21 km), of which 8.2 square miles (21 km) are land and 0.04-square-mile (0.10 km) (0.24%) is water.

In 1999, Alexander Mills merged with and became a part of Forest City.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1880110
1890419280.9%
19001,090160.1%
19101,59246.1%
19202,31245.2%
19304,06976.0%
19405,03523.7%
19504,971−1.3%
19606,55631.9%
19707,1799.5%
19807,6887.1%
19907,475−2.8%
20007,5491.0%
20107,476−1.0%
20207,377−1.3%
2022 (est.)7,162−2.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

Forest City racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 4,444 60.24%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 1,539 20.86%
Native American 17 0.23%
Asian 83 1.13%
Pacific Islander 6 0.08%
Other/Mixed 447 6.06%
Hispanic or Latino 841 11.4%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,377 people, 3,128 households, and 1,582 families residing in the town.

2014

The population recorded for the town in 2014 was recorded to be 7,324 people. Forest City made up 0.002% of the total U.S. population and 0.07% of the total North Carolina State population in 2014. The number of households reported from 2014 to 2018 was 3,182 and the number of people per household was reported to be 2.23. The percentage of people aged 5 or older that speak a language other than English at home was 8.4% as recorded from 2014 to 2018. The population density in 2014 was 853.12 per square mile (p/mi^2). The racial makeup of the town was 70.5% white alone, 23.9% black alone, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native alone, 0.6% Asian alone, 0.2% two or more races, 9.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race, and 66.5% white alone, not Hispanic or Latino. The number of veterans recorded from 2014 to 2018 was 278. The percentage of foreign-born persons was recorded from 2014 to 2018 as 3.6% of the population.

There were 3,245 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were married couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.90.

The reported percentage of people under the age of five years old in the town was 6.2%. The percentage of people under the age of 18 years old was 25.5%. The percentage of people 65 years old and over was 20.5%. The percentage of female persons was 55.3%, making the percentage of male persons 44.7%.

The median household income from 2014 to 2018, in terms of the worth of the dollar in 2018, was $27,861. The income per capita for the prior 12 months, as recorded from 2014 to 2018, was $17,716. The percentage of persons in poverty was 31.8%.

Government

Town hall

The Town of Forest City is governed by a mayor and a board of commissioners. Steve Holland is currently serving as the mayor of The Town of Forest City. The Town Board of Commissioners includes: Mayor Pro-Tem, Dr. Dee Dee Bright, Com. Chris Lee, Com. Shawn Moore, Com. Justin Conner, and Com. David Eaker. In 1929 the mayor was Charles Z. Flack. He is noted for building the original City Hall and was the first mayor to begin the tradition of decorating Main St. by stringing Christmas lights over the road.

Attractions

Forest City has several museums, including the Rutherford County Farm Museum, the Bennett Classical Auto Museum, and the Carolina Arcade Museum.

Forest City is also home to the Forest City Owls baseball club which is a member of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer league. The Owls, who play at McNair Field in Forest City, won the CPL championship in 2009 with a record of 51–9, again in 2010 and were ranked as the #1 collegiate summer team in America.

Education

The local school district is Rutherford County Schools, which is based in Forest City.

Higher education

Isothermal Community College is located close by in Spindale, NC. The tuition ranges from $131.00 to $1,281.00 depending on the number of credit hours. The college provides the Lee L. Powers Service Scholarship to those who reside in Rutherford or Polk Counties and receive in-state tuition which will cover all costs of attending the college.

Economy

In 2010, Forest City was selected as the location for a new $450 million data center for Facebook.

Renovations done to the town in 2019 added Forest City Pavilion on Park Square. The venue was designed by Odom Engineering, PLLC. This was a multimillion-dollar project that was undertaken by the town that attracts tourists and increased the value of surrounding homes.

The Thermal Belt Rail Trail project, a bike and walking trail spanning 13.36 miles, was completed, in part, to develop the town's economy.

The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and Rutherford County Economic Development partnered to offer an Emergency Small Business Assistance Grant in response to the pandemic caused by the spread of COVID-19. The grant provides a maximum of $2,500 per company.

The total percentage of people aged 16 and older in Forest City that made up the labor force according to the census reported from 2014 to 2018 was 48.7%. The percentage of women recorded in the labor force aged 16 or older was 45.9% from 2014 to 2018 according to information provided by the census. The total number of people that received health care and social assistance receipts/revenue in 2012 ($1,000) was 87,506. The total retail sales reported in 2012 ($1,000) was 403,012.

Notable people

References

  1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Forest City, North Carolina
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "History and Facts". Town of Forest City. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  5. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  6. "Forest City Lynching - North Carolina History". North Carolina History -. March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  7. "GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 1999" (PDF). Microsoft Word - H44v2.doc. February 8, 1999. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  8. "Forest City, North Carolina Population 2022 (Demographics)". Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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  11. "Population of Forest City, North Carolina". Populations. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  12. ^ "Forest City town, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  13. "Welcome to the Town of Forest City". Town of Forest City, NC. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  14. "MAYOR AND BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS". Town of Forest City, NC. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  15. "Bennett Classics Antique Auto Museum". www.bennettclassics.com.
  16. "Carolina Arcade Museum Facebook page". www.facebook.com.
  17. "Tuition Rate Schedule". Isothermal Community College. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  18. "Lee L. Powers Service Scholarship". Isothermal Community College. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  19. Archived March 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  20. "Rutherford County 12/07/10 - Facebook's Data Center Project Hires Locally". Rutherfordncedc.com. December 7, 2010. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  21. "Forest City Pavilion On Park Square". Town of Forest City. August 22, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  22. "Thermal Belt Rail Trail". Town of Forest City. February 21, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  23. "COVID-19". Town of Forest City. March 18, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  24. Woody Abernathy Stats. Baseball-Reference.
  25. Franklin, Christine A. (2018). "Curriculum vitae, short version" (PDF). University of Georgia Department of Statistics. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  26. Todd Coffey Stats. ESPN. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  27. Gordon, Jean (March 1, 2023). "McFadden looks back on racing career and why he called it quits". Rutherford Weekly. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  28. Rob Gray Stats. ESPN. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  29. Venson Hamilton Stats. Basketball-Reference.
  30. Texans owner's roots in Rutherford County allow legacy to grow for centuries. wyff4.com. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  31. Davis, Anita Price (2013). Legendary Locals of Rutherford County. Arcadia Publishing. p. 114. ISBN 978-1-4671-0064-9.

External links

Municipalities and communities of Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States
County seat: Rutherfordton
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