Forest Heights, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Forest Heights, Maryland
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| Town of Forest Heights | |||
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Location of Forest Heights, Maryland
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| Country |  United States of America |
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| State |  Maryland |
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| County |  Prince George's |
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| Incorporated | 1949 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 1.75 sq mi (4.54 km2) | ||
| • Land | 1.65 sq mi (4.28 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.10 sq mi (0.25 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 161 ft (49 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,658 | ||
| • Density | 1,607.01/sq mi (620.39/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
20745
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| Area code(s) | 301, 240 | ||
| FIPS code | 24-28725 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0597408 | ||
Forest Heights is a town located in Prince George's County, Maryland, in the United States. It is part of the larger area known as Oxon Hill. The town is split by a main road called Maryland Route 210 and has two elementary schools. In 2020, about 2,658 people lived here.
Contents
History of Forest Heights
Most of the homes in Forest Heights were built in the 1940s and early 1950s. These were mostly single-family houses, with some streets having duplex homes (houses split into two separate living spaces). A few homes were built even earlier, in the 1930s. More homes were added in the 1960s.
Many early residents worked as scientists at the nearby U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Others were military band musicians or worked for the federal government. In 1960, the town had about 3,600 people. This was more than the 2,447 people counted in 2010. This might be because families had more children back then.
Two mayors, Clifford Armhold and Warren F. Adams, served the town for a very long time. In the 2000s, there were some disagreements between the town's mayors and the town council. One mayor, Joyce Beck, left office after changes were made to the Town Charter. In 2019, Forest Heights grew much larger by adding about 447 acres of land. This more than doubled its original size.
Geography of Forest Heights
Forest Heights is located at 38°48′43″N 76°59′49″W / 38.81194°N 76.99694°W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town covers about 0.48 square miles (1.24 square kilometers) of land.
Nearby Areas
Forest Heights is close to several other communities:
- National Harbor (to the southwest)
- Oxon Hill (to the southeast)
- Glassmanor (to the northeast)
- Parts of Washington, D.C. like Bellevue, Congress Heights, and Anacostia (to the north)
Population of Forest Heights
The number of people living in Forest Heights has changed over the years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1950 | 1,125 | — | |
| 1960 | 3,524 | 213.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,497 | −0.8% | |
| 1980 | 2,999 | −14.2% | |
| 1990 | 2,859 | −4.7% | |
| 2000 | 2,585 | −9.6% | |
| 2010 | 2,447 | −5.3% | |
| 2020 | 2,658 | 8.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 |
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Population in 2020
In 2020, the population of Forest Heights was 2,658 people. The town is home to a diverse group of residents. About 57.45% of the population was Black or African American, and 4.25% was White. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up a significant part of the population, at 31.90%. There were also smaller percentages of Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, and people of two or more races.
Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 2,447 people living in Forest Heights. There were 868 households, with an average of 2.82 people per household. About 31.3% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average age of residents was 41.1 years old.
Transportation in Forest Heights
Forest Heights is served by major roads that help people travel to and from the town.
Major Highways
The most important highway near Forest Heights is Interstate 95/Interstate 495, also known as the Capital Beltway. This highway goes around Washington, D.C., connecting Forest Heights to many other towns and cities.
- I-95 goes north through cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. To the south, it goes through Richmond on its way to Florida.
Local Roads
- Maryland Route 210 (Indian Head Highway) provides a direct connection from Forest Heights to I-95/I-495. It runs from the Washington, D.C. border south to Indian Head.
- Maryland Route 414 (Saint Barnabas Road) runs parallel to the Capital Beltway. It helps residents get to nearby communities.
Education in Forest Heights
Public schools in Forest Heights are managed by Prince George's County Public Schools.
Elementary Schools
There are two elementary schools located within the town:
- Forest Heights Elementary School
- Flintstone Elementary School
These schools serve different parts of the town.
Middle and High Schools
All students in Forest Heights are zoned to attend:
- Oxon Hill Middle School
- Potomac High School
Public Library
The Prince George's County Memorial Library System operates the Oxon Hill Library. This library is located in nearby Oxon Hill.
Images for kids
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I-95/I-495 northbound in Forest Heights
_from_the_overpass_for_Maryland_State_Route_210_(Indian_Head_Highway)_in_Forest_Heights,_Prince_George%27s_County,_Maryland.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Forest Heights (Maryland) para niños
