Forestville was originally known as Long Old Fields. During the War of 1812, Long Old Fields served as an encampment on August 23, 1814 for American forces opposing the invading British, who camped just a few miles away. These forces met at the Battle of Bladensburg the next day. Long Old Fields' name was changed to Forestville sometime after the end of the Civil War in 1865.
Forestville CDP, Maryland – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 12,707 people, 4,642 households, and 3,267 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,169.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,223.8/km2). There were 4,951 housing units at an average density of 1,234.9 per square mile (476.8/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 10.54% White, 85.78% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.
There were 4,642 households, out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% were married couples living together, 26.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $51,831, and the median income for a family was $57,096. Males had a median income of $37,739 versus $34,796 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,205. About 4.7% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
Elementary schools serving sections of the CDP include Andrew Jackson, William Beanes, Longfields, North Forestville, and John Bayne.[11] Sections of Forestville CDP are zoned to Andrew Jackson, Drew-Freeman, and Walker Mill middle schools.[12] Sections of Forestville CDP are zoned to Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, Suitland High School, and Largo High School.[13]Forestville High School (a.k.a. Forestville Military Academy) was previously in the CDP until its 2016 closure.[14]
^Home. Bishop McNamara High School. Retrieved on August 29, 2018. "6800 Marlboro Pike, Forestville, MD 20747"
^Home. Mount Calvary Catholic Church and School. Retrieved on August 29, 2018. "Mount Calvary Catholic Church and School 6700 - 6704 Marlboro Pike · Forestville Md · 20747"
^Nagy, John (May 7, 2016). "The School of My Youth: Can It Really Be Closing?". ThePilot.com. Retrieved August 29, 2018. [...]it runs into Forestville, Md.,[...]into the campus of Mount Calvary Catholic Church and School.[...]Last month, the Catholic diocese notified the community that the school would close with the end of school this year.
