The Truth About Forney: Crime’s Down, Homes Are Up, and Growth Is Booming

No matter what the loudest voices on Facebook might say, the data tells a very different story about Forney. While social media can sometimes feel like a never-ending doomsday scroll, the truth is that crime is down, families are moving in, and the city is growing stronger by the day. Here's a clear, fact-based snapshot of Forney in 2025 — by the numbers.
Forney Facts, Not Fear
Forney truly lives up to its nickname, “City Without Limits.” Its population is booming: from 23,455 in 2020 to an estimated 35,470 by 2023 (about a 51% jump). The Texas Demographics Center projects roughly 42,842 residents by 2025. This surge makes Forney one of the fastest-growing towns in the nation. Demographically, Forney remains young (median age ~32.4) and increasingly diverse. About 60% of residents are White (non-Hispanic), 15% Black, 19% Hispanic, with Asians and other groups making up the rest. It’s now the 109th largest city in Texas – up from 14,661 in 2010 – and still adding new families every week.
Despite all this growth, Forney stays remarkably safe. Crime rates here are far below national and state averages: overall crime is about 59% lower than the U.S. average (violent crime ~67% lower). In practical terms you have roughly a 1-in-828 chance of a violent crime and 1-in-122 chance of a property crime in Forney, making your overall odds of any crime only about 1 in 107. In fact, AreaVibes notes that Forney is safer than ~56% of U.S. cities. Local police highlight that crime actually fell ~24% year-over-year, even as we’ve added tens of thousands of residents.
Schools & Education
Forney ISD serves about 16,200 students in 19 schools (PK–12). The district earns solid ratings: Niche.com gives Forney ISD a B overall grade (3.75/5) and ranks it #3 in Kaufman County. Many Forney schools offer strong academics and extracurriculars – for example, local high schools have won college-success awards and high AP pass rates. (For context, about 27.8% of the city’s population is under 18.) In short, our schools are growing with our families but still perform above average on state tests, with many campuses rated highly by parents.
Housing & Real Estate
Forney’s housing market is hot but stabilizing. As of Spring 2025, the typical home value is about $327,000 (Zillow Home Value Index). The median sale price in early 2025 was roughly $308,700. A recent year saw values tick down ~4.4%, reflecting the regional cooldown, but prices remain well above the national median. Inventory is healthy: about 634 homes for sale (April 2025). Most homes still sell relatively fast – average “days on market” to pending is 42 days – and about 17.6% of sales went over list price in Q1 2025, indicating steady demand. Rental rates have also risen with demand; roughly 74% of homes are owner-occupied vs. 26% rented.
Economy & Income
Forney is affluent: median household income is around $103,360 (2023), with per-capita income ~$62,400 – far above national medians. Only about 7–7.3% of Forney families live in poverty (roughly half the U.S. rate). The local workforce is about 14.9k people (employed), up ~10% from 2022. Most residents commute to jobs in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex: the average one-way drive is about 34.5 minutes, with roughly 2 cars per household. Key employment sectors include education, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
Parks, Recreation & Lifestyle
Forney offers plenty of green space and community amenities. The city maintains 242 acres of parks in all – including neighborhood parks, mini-parks, and large community parks. Forney Community Park is the crown jewel (with sports fields, trails, and a splash pad), and Mulberry Park alone covers 33 acres of trails and open space. Family-friendly facilities include a splash pad (Memorial Day–Labor Day), the Spellman Amphitheater for concerts, and dozens of playgrounds and ballfields. Residents also enjoy easy access to Lake Ray Hubbard and nearby trail systems.
Fun Fact Quick Stats:
- Population: ~35,500 (2023); +51% since 2020
- Crime: 59% below US avg; 1-in-107 crime victim risk
- Schools: 19 schools; 16,211 students (Forney ISD), district B-rated
- Housing: Median home ~$327K; median sale ~$309K
- Income: Median household ~$103K; poverty ~7.3%
- Commute: 34.5 min avg drive to work
- Parks: 242 acres total; Mulberry Park 33 acres
Each of the above figures is drawn from the latest local and federal data. Forney’s community leaders track these numbers closely – growth is rapid, but our streets, parks, and schools are keeping up. Overall, this data snapshot shows a booming, young suburb with strong finances, low crime, and a high quality of life.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Data USA, Texas Demographics (Cubit), Zillow, Forney Police Dept., AreaVibes, Forney ISD, and local government reports. Each stat above is cited to the latest available data.