Forest Acres is a city in Richland County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 10,606 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area and is an enclave of the city of Columbia.

Forest Acres is located at 34°2′19″N 80°58′3″W / 34.03861°N 80.96750°W / 34.03861; -80.96750 (34.038687, -80.967446).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.0 square miles (12.9 km), of which 4.6 square miles (11.9 km) is land and 0.39 square miles (1.0 km), or 7.46%, is water.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1940	323		—
1950	3,240		903.1%
1960	3,842		18.6%
1970	6,808		77.2%
1980	6,062		−11.0%
1990	7,197		18.7%
2000	10,558		46.7%
2010	10,361		−1.9%
2020	10,617		2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

Forest Acres racial composition

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	7,799	73.46%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	1,824	17.18%
Native American	17	0.16%
Asian	174	1.64%
Pacific Islander	12	0.11%
Other/Mixed	409	3.85%
Hispanic or Latino	382	3.6%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,617 people, 4,683 households, and 2,716 families residing in the city.

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,558 people, 4,987 households, and 2,842 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,300.9 inhabitants per square mile (888.4/km). There were 5,232 housing units at an average density of 1,140.2 per square mile (440.2/km). The racial makeup of the city is 80.87% White, 15.52% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. 2.54% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,987 households, out of which 22.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.0% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.9% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,628, and the median income for a family was $62,026. Males had a median income of $38,277 versus $31,438 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,907. About 5.2% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

A.C. Flora High School serves portions of Forest Acres and is in Richland County School District One. Richland Northeast High School serves the majority of the city and is in Richland School District Two.

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The City of Forest Acres is governed by a mayor and four councilmen elected to four-year terms.

Mayor: Frank J. Brunson- served on city council since July 1, 1995; term expires in 2023

Council members:

• Haskell Kibler - served on city council since July 1, 2021; term expires in 2025
• David Black.- served on city council since July 1, 2021; term expires in 2025
• Tom Andrews - served on city council since July 1, 2019; term expires 2023
• John Barnes - served on city council since July 1, 2019; term expires 2023

• Jordan Anderson, NASCAR driver
• Edgar L. McGowan, Commissioner of the South Carolina Department of Labor (1971-1989)

• Official website