What are the schools like in Forestdale, AL?

School district data for Forestdale is sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

What is the median household income in Forestdale?

The median household income in Forestdale, AL is $62,908 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.4%.

What is the weather like in Forestdale, AL?

Forestdale has an average high temperature of 54.5°F in January and 91.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 58.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 1.4 inches.

Forestdale, AL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Forestdale, AL affordable or expensive?

Forestdale's cost of living index is 93, where 100 represents the national average. This means Forestdale is 7% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $149,000 and the median rent is $1,032 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Forestdale, AL?

Forestdale has a violent crime rate of 635.9 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2558.0 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Forestdale, AL a Good Place to Live?

Forestdale is a small town of 9,138 in Alabama, with a median household income of $62,908 and a 8.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is 7% below the national average.

Strengths: Forestdale stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Forestdale is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Forestdale city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 92.6

Forestdale's overall cost of living index is 92.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Forestdale costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.

Metric	Forestdale, AL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$149,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,032	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	73.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$62,908	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Higher than Average

Forestdale's violent crime rate is 635.9 per 100,000 residents — 67% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

635.9 /100k

Property Crime

2558.0 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Metric	Forestdale, AL	National Avg
School District	N/A	—
Elementary Schools	N/A	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	N/A	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	28.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	93.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Forestdale sees average highs of 54.5°F in January and 91.0°F in July, with 58.3 inches of annual precipitation and 1.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Forestdale, AL
Average High — January	54.5°F
Average High — July	91.0°F
Annual Precipitation	58.3"
Annual Snowfall	1.4"

Demographics

Metric	Forestdale, AL	National Avg
Population	9,138	—
Median Age	43.7	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	30.0 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	19.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	76.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.4%	6.3%
Under 18	18.3%	22.2%
65 and over	21.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Minor, AL 3 mi Brookside, AL 4 mi Edgewater, AL 4 mi Mulga, AL 4 mi McDonald Chapel, AL 4 mi

Forestdale vs Other Cities

Forestdale, AL vs Minor, AL Forestdale, AL vs Brookside, AL Forestdale, AL vs Edgewater, AL Forestdale, AL vs Mulga, AL Forestdale, AL vs McDonald Chapel, AL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Forestdale, AL affordable or expensive?

Forestdale's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average. That makes Forestdale roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $149,000 and median rent is $1,032/month.

What is the crime rate in Forestdale, AL?

Forestdale's violent crime rate is 635.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2558.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Forestdale?

School district information is sourced from NCES Common Core of Data.

Is Forestdale, AL a good place to live?

Forestdale, AL has a population of 9,138, a median household income of $62,908, and an unemployment rate of 8.4%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Forestdale?

Forestdale averages 54.5°F in January and 91.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 58.3 inches with about 1.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Forestdale?

The population of Forestdale, Alabama is 9,138 with a median age of 43.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Forestdale?

Key numbers for living in Forestdale: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $149,000, median household income $62,908, crime index 149 (100 = US average, lower is safer). Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Forestdale side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.