Forsyth County is located in the northwest Piedmont of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 382,590, making it the fourth-most populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Winston-Salem. Forsyth County is part of the Winston-Salem, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, NC, Combined Statistical Area. Portions of Forsyth County are in the Yadkin Valley wine region.
History
The county was formed in 1849 from Stokes County. It was named for Colonel Benjamin Forsyth, who was killed in the War of 1812.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county is in the outer Appalachian Mountains, and has a total area of , of which is land and (1.1%) is water.
The northeast section of Forsyth County, including Belews Creek and parts of Rural Hall, Walkertown, and Kernersville, is drained by tributaries of the Dan River. A small portion of Kernersville is in the Cape Fear River basin. Most of the county is drained by tributaries of the Yadkin River, which forms the western boundary of the county. The lowest elevation in the county is 660 feet, on the Yadkin River at the southwest corner of the county. The highest is 1100 feet, at a point just off Jefferson Church Road on the outskirts of King, immediately south of the county line.
Adjacent counties
Stokes County - north
Rockingham County - northeast
Guilford County - east
Davidson County - south
Davie County - southwest
Yadkin County - west
Surry County - northwest
Major highways
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 382,590 people, 148,151 households, and 90,837 families residing in the county.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 306,067 people, 123,851 households, and 81,741 families residing in the county. The population density was 747 people per square mile (289/km2). There were 133,093 housing units, at an average density of 325 per square mile (125/km2). The racial makeup was 68.47% White, 25.61% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.25% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 6.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 123,851 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.90% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 2.94.
The median age was 36 years, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.40 males.
The median household income was $42,097, and the median family income was $52,032. Males had a median income of $36,158, versus $27,319 for females. The per capita income was $23,023. About 7.90% of families and 11.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.10% of those under age 18 and 9.70% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Winston-Salem (county seat)
High Point (mostly in Guilford County, also in Randolph County, Davidson County)
King (mostly in Stokes County)
Towns
Bethania
Kernersville (partially in Guilford County)
Lewisville
Rural Hall
Walkertown
Villages
Clemmons
Tobaccoville (also in Stokes County)
Census-designated place
Germanton
Townships
Abbots Creek
Belews Creek
Bethania
Broadbay
Clemmonsville
Kernersville
Lewisville
Middle Fork I
Middle Fork II
Old Richmond
Old Town
Salem Chapel
South Fork
Vienna
Winston
Former township
Middle Fork Township was split into Middle Fork I Township and Middle Fork II Township in 2003.
Unincorporated communities
Belews Creek
Bethabara
Donnaha
Dozier
Horneytown
Pfafftown
Seward
Stanleyville
Union Cross
Vienna
Law and government
The Forsyth County Government Center is located at 201 North Chestnut Street in Downtown Winston-Salem. Forsyth County is a member of the regional Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments.
The Forsyth County Public Library, founded in 1906, is free for residents of Forsyth and surrounding counties, while all others must pay a small yearly fee for a library card. The library runs Adult, Children's, and Hispanic Outreach programs. Its main "Central Library" is in downtown Winston-Salem, with branches all across the county.
The Forsyth County Department of Public Health is located at 799 North Highland Avenue near downtown Winston-Salem.
Politics
Like most major urban counties, Forsyth has seen a trend towards the Democratic Party in recent elections after having voted Republican at every election between 1980 and 2004.
