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Forreston, IL

View of Forreston, IL
Image credit: Ben Jacobson ( Kranar Drogin ) / CC BY 2.5
Population
1,402
U.S. Census Population Estimates Program · 2025
Elevation
943 ft
Median Home Value
$129,900
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
Median Rent
$744/mo
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
Median Income
$70,676
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
General Quality
Overall rating out of 100

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OverallBest places in IllinoisPopulation rankingHighest population places in IllinoisNearest larger communityFreeport, Illinois12 miles away · 23,202 residents.

About Forreston

Forreston is a quiet village in Ogle County, founded in the 1850s when the Illinois Central Railroad came through. The railroad tracks shaped the town's distinctive V-shaped downtown, which is anchored by a historic wedge-shaped village hall built in 1902. Many of the area's earliest settlers were German immigrants who farmed the fertile land, giving the community a tight-knit heritage that carries through to today.

Forreston, IL Post Office

Daily life here is centered on local parks, youth sports, and the Forrestville Valley school district, which educates local kids from kindergarten through high school. The biggest community event of the year is Sauerkraut Days each August, a tradition honoring the town's heritage with food stands, parades, and a popular car show. It offers newcomers a classic small-town feel with active local organizations and a welcoming, relaxed pace.

Top Rating Signals

Highest current ratings for this town.

Lower County Wildfire Hazard Potential ClassA+100.0ratingLower Projected Late-Century County-Area Exposure to Sea-Level RiseA+100.0ratingLow PopulationA+100.0rating

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