There is one unique ZIP code in Forest Hill, Louisiana and it is 71430. Area code: 337.
1
ZIP codes
122.30
sq mi land
6.65
sq mi water
337
area code
Forest Hill, LA ZIP code map
About Forest Hill, LA
Forest Hill is a small, charming community located in Rapides Parish in the heart of central Louisiana, carrying the ZIP code 71430. Nestled among the rolling piney woods of the state's interior, Forest Hill offers a quiet, rural lifestyle that reflects the natural beauty and tight-knit character of central Louisiana. The community is served by the 337 telephone area code and covers a surprisingly expansive footprint that makes it a notable presence in the region.
Location & geography
Forest Hill sits in Rapides Parish in central Louisiana, positioned roughly between the city of Alexandria to the north and Leesville to the southwest, placing it within easy reach of several larger regional centers. The community spans an impressive 122.30 square miles of land area, complemented by 6.65 square miles of water area formed by the streams, ponds, and wetland features common to this part of Louisiana. The terrain is characterized by gently rolling hills blanketed with longleaf and loblolly pine forests, a landscape that defines much of central Louisiana's Kisatchie Hills region.
Community & economy
Forest Hill has the feel of a classic rural Louisiana community, where neighbors know each other by name and a slower, more deliberate pace of life is the norm. The local economy has historically leaned on the timber and forestry industries, which remain relevant given the vast pine forests surrounding the area, while small businesses and agriculture also contribute to daily economic life. Residents enjoy access to outdoor recreation through nearby Kisatchie National Forest, making hiking, hunting, and fishing important parts of the local culture and weekend lifestyle.
Transportation
Forest Hill is primarily accessed via Louisiana Highway 112 and Louisiana Highway 8, which connect the community to larger surrounding towns and regional corridors. U.S. Highway 165, running north toward Alexandria and south toward other central Louisiana communities, provides an important nearby arterial route for residents commuting or traveling for goods and services. The nearest commercial airport serving the Forest Hill area is Alexandria International Airport, located approximately 25 to 30 miles to the north, offering regional and connecting flight options.
History
Forest Hill developed as a rural settlement in central Louisiana, with its growth closely tied to the expansive longleaf pine forests that once covered much of the region and fueled a robust timber industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The community's name itself pays direct homage to those forested hills that define the local landscape and gave the area its identity and economic foundation. Over time, Forest Hill evolved from a timber-driven settlement into a quiet residential and agricultural community that has preserved much of its rural heritage and natural surroundings.
Did you know?
Forest Hill is situated near the Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana's only national forest, which brings nature enthusiasts, hikers, and wildlife observers to the broader area throughout the year. Despite its modest size and population, the community's land area of over 122 square miles means that Forest Hill covers more geographic ground than many people might expect from such a rural and relatively little-known Louisiana town.
