Forest Acres is a city in Richland County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 10,500 at the 2020 census. It is a suburb of Columbia, the state capital.
Forest Acres has a diverse population, with various ethnic groups and cultures represented. Many residents work in nearby Columbia or other parts of the Midlands region.
Forest Acres holds several annual events, including a Christmas tree lighting, a Christmas parade, an Easter egg hunt, and a summer concert series. The city also has a farmers' market during the warmer months.
One of Forest Acres' most notable local attractions is the Forest Acres Swamp, a nature preserve with walking trails and a lake. The city also has several parks, including the largest, Forest Acres Park, which features several athletic fields, playgrounds, and a picnic shelter.
Forest Acres has multiple restaurants, including Southern, Italian, Mexican, and Asian cuisine. The city is also home to several chain restaurants and retail outlets, including a Walmart Supercenter, a Publix grocery store, a Chick-fil-A, and an Olive Garden. There is also a locally owned coffee shop, The Daily Grind.
Forest Acres has a council-manager form of government, with a mayor and council leaders. The city is divided into 5 precincts, each electing a council member to a four-year term. The mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term. The city provides police, fire, and public works services, while the county provides library services through a library branch located in the city.
Forest Acres was first settled in the late 19th century and was incorporated in 1947. The city grew rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s, with many houses, businesses, and schools being built. In 1970, the city' RNE Airport, then known as 'Owens Field, was the area's primary airport until the construction of Columbia Metropolitan Airport.
Notable natives and residents include:
Ron Garl- golf course architect
Jim Rice - former MLB player with the Boston Red Sox
Jack Sinkule-former MLB player with the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Athletics, and Boston Red Sox.
Dick Ratzlaff- former NFL player with the Washington Redskins
The city's mayor is Bob Scott.
Overall, Forest Acres is a vibrant and thriving community. It offers a diverse range of attractions, culture, and activities that appeal to its residents and visitors. Its proximity to Columbia adds to its appeal, making it a great place to live and work.
As regards its size, Forest Acres, South Carolina, in Richland County, is a moderately-sized city. The population is 10,500 at the 2020 census. As a small city, Forest Acres is located in the Eastern time zone (GMT -5). Forest Acres has a total area of 3.91 square miles, of which 3.88 square miles is land and 0.03 square miles (0.81%) is water.
Schools in Forest Acres include:
1. Forest Acres Elementary School
2. A. C. Moore Elementary School
3. St. John Neumann Catholic School
4. Richland Northeast High School
5. Kelly Mill Middle School
6. Southeast Middle School
Richland County is in southern South Carolina and ranks as one of the state's most populous counties. It is coextensive with the Columbia, South Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Some nearby cities and towns include:
1. Columbia -population 133,358
2. Springdale -population 2,369
3. West Columbia -population 14,316
4. Cayce- population 14,497
5. Lexington -population 18,401
6. Irmo -population 12,707
7. Chapin -population 1,447
8. Hopkins -population 2,647
9. Blythewood -population 178
10. Woodfield (partial) -population 9,268
Some crime statistics for Forest Acres, South Carolina, include:
1. There were 4 reported murders or homicides in 2007.
2. There were 3 reported forcible rapes in 2007.
3. There were 17 reported robberies in 2007.
4. There were 77 reported aggravated assaults in 2007.
5. There were 33 reported burglaries in 2007.
6. There were 182 reported thefts in 2007.
7. There were 3 reported arsons in 2007.
Interstate 20 passes directly through the city, also known as the Richard A. Peeples Expressway. Forest Acres is also home to Columbia's busiest general aviation airport, Jim Hamilton–L.B. Owens Field.
The racial makeup of the city is 64.1% White, 28.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 1. 7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.9%.
Forest Acres is bordered to the west by the City of Columbia. The city limits extend south as far as the City of Columbia's limits, near the intersection of I-20 and I-26. The easternmost point of Forest Acres extends to the rear of Parkland Plaza at the intersection of Forest Drive and Trenholm Road. The city limits extend from the northeast end of the intersection of Beltline Boulevard and Trenholm Road and terminates at Interstate 20. It then follows the Interstate north until it meets I-26.
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