This study was conducted on Assabila community forest in South Achefer District, West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia to determine woody plant species diversity, structure and evaluates forest cover change of the community forest. A systematic sampling method with nested plots was used to collect vegetation data. Accordingly, 36 quadrants each with 400 m2 (20 m X 20 m) were used for trees and 5 m X 5 m subplots (5 *36= 180) for collection of sapling and seedling data. Stratification was done in the study forest to take accurate and reliable data from the field as well as to maintain the homogeneity of the area. Based on vegetation density the study forest was classified into highly populated, medially populated and lowly populated forest. The sampling plots were placed at every 100 m intervals along the transect lines laid at 200 m apart in the south to north direction. Concerning the vegetation structure of the community forest, all trees and shrubs with a diameter at breast height (DBH) >2.5 cm and height >2 m were measured for height and diameter analysis. The result showed that a total of 44 woody species belonging to 31 genera and 26 families were identified in Assabila community forest. From these species, 28 (68 %) were trees, 9(19%) were saplings, and 7 (13%) were seedlings. Of all the families, Fabaceae was the most dominant family which contributing 16 species. The forest had average Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H`) and the average evenness values of 2.69 and 0.71, respectively. The analysis of diameter at breast height (DBH) and height class distribution of the study forest showed Bell-shaped attributing poor regeneration and total basal area of all tree species were 11.8 m2/ha-1. Croton macrostachyus, Carissa edulis, Acacia lahai, Maytenus arbutifolia were the most frequently occurred species. As the result of forest cover change detection, the area was decreased from 113 ha to 92 ha from 1999 – 2019. Generally, the study forest had low species diversity and poor regeneration potential because of the unwise use of the forest resources by the nearby village dwellers and poorly protected by all the concerned bodies. Therefore, conservation of species, ecosystem restoration and sustainable use of the forest genetic resources are recommended as a result of this study. Keywords: Community forest, Assabila, Species composition, Vegetation structure, Forest cover change detections, Woody plant species diversity