Signals
Natchitoches
Forrest City
Growth
6 · Bottom 2%
vs5 · Bottom 1%
Climate
75 · Top 19%
vs68 · Top 44%
Physical resilience
60 · Top 45%
vs49 · Bottom 41%
Housing affordability
87 · Bottom 29%
vs91 · Bottom 39%
Access
74 · Bottom 46%
vs85 · Top 34%
Economic stability
8 · Bottom 1%
vs6 · Bottom 1%
Measured values
| Metric | Natchitoches | Forrest City | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,693 | 22,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $46,292 | $42,574 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $27,533 | $22,140 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 29/sq mi | 35/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $171,300 | $90,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $786 | $779 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 60.9% | 55.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.8% | 14.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 25.4% | 28.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 25 | 10 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.7 | 0.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 93°F | 91°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 38°F | 33°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 50.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 42 mi | 33 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.9 min | 24.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 33.4 | 40.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Natchitoches
Elevated or high exposure: tornado.
Forrest City
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
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Natchitoches
52
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Area Score
Forrest City
51
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Natchitoches, LA Micro Area · Forrest City, AR Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology