Forest, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Forest, Virginia
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Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest
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Location of Forest, Virginia
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Bedford |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.9 sq mi (35.9 km2) |
| • Land | 13.7 sq mi (35.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.12 sq mi (0.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 873 ft (266 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 11,709 |
| • Density | 842.4/sq mi (326.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
24551
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| Area code(s) | 434 |
| FIPS code | 51-28688 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1494932 |
Forest is a special kind of community in Bedford County, Virginia, United States. It's called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area that the government counts as a place for the census, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
In 2020, about 11,709 people lived in Forest. It is part of the larger Lynchburg area.
Contents
Where is Forest, Virginia?
Forest is located in eastern Bedford County, Virginia. You can find it at these coordinates: 37°22′15″N 79°16′0″W / 37.37083°N 79.26667°W.
The total area of Forest is about 13.9 square miles (35.9 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
What is the Economy Like in Forest?
Forest is a growing area near Lynchburg. Many new homes have been built on land that used to be farms or woodlands. One of the biggest communities is Ivy Hill, which has a golf course.
The area has grown a lot in the last 20 years. This growth really sped up after U.S. Route 221 (also called Forest Road) was made wider in 2009. Even though growth slowed down for a bit, it is expected to continue.
Forest doesn't have a traditional "town center" like some older towns. However, the area along Forest Road, from the post office to the Forest Library, is often seen as the main part of the community. There used to be a train station here, but it was taken down.
Engineering and Technology
Liberty University has a special center in Forest called the Center for Engineering Research and Education (CERE). This center works with businesses and local governments to develop new engineering ideas. Companies like Simplimatic Automation and NanoSeptic Technologies are already in the area.
Who Lives in Forest?
The population of Forest has been growing. Here's how many people lived there during recent census counts:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 8,006 | — | |
| 2010 | 9,106 | 13.7% | |
| 2020 | 11,709 | 28.6% | |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau | |||
2020 Population Details
In 2020, there were 11,709 people living in Forest. Most residents were White (82.5%), with African American or Black people making up 6.8%, and Asian people making up 3.4%. About 4.0% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Education in Forest
Students in Forest attend schools run by Bedford County Public Schools. There are four elementary schools, Forest Middle School, and Jefferson Forest High School.
There is also a private school nearby called Timberlake Christian School. For students who want to go to college, there are several higher education schools in Bedford and Lynchburg.
How Does Forest Get Water and Internet?
The Bedford Regional Water Authority makes sure that Forest has clean public water and systems to handle wastewater.
There's also a project happening to improve internet access across Forest and the rest of Bedford County. This is being done through a partnership with Blue Ridge Towers.
How to Get Around Forest
Airports
The closest airport for commercial flights is Lynchburg Regional Airport. From there, you can fly to Charlotte, North Carolina. If you need a private plane, Virginia Aviation offers charter flights. There's also a public airport for smaller planes called New London Airport.
Main Roads
US Route 221 is a major road that goes through Forest.
Train Service
If you want to travel by train, the closest passenger train station is Kemper Street station in Lynchburg. From there, you can catch Amtrak's Crescent and Northeast Regional trains.
Fun Things to Do in Forest
One of the most popular places to visit in Forest is Poplar Forest. This was the summer home of Thomas Jefferson, who was one of the founding fathers of the United States and the third president. You can visit the home and learn about its history. Archaeologists are still studying the site today.
Other fun places nearby include:
- Point of Honor in Lynchburg
- The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford
- The Peaks of Otter in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains
The closest big city area is downtown Lynchburg, which is about 10 miles northeast of Forest.
Famous People From Forest
- John Early (bishop) – A bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
- Cynthia Dunbar – A lawyer and former member of the Texas State Board of Education. She also taught law at Liberty University.
- Rashad Jennings – A professional football player who played running back for NFL teams like the New York Giants.
See also
In Spanish: Forest (Virginia) para niños
