Population 267,287 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Forsyth County
Household size in Forsyth County
| Period | Forsyth County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.98 | 2.74 | 2.70 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.18 | 2.83 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.99 | 2.81 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.03 | 2.79 | 2.73 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.05 | +0.05 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Forsyth County are large by national standards, averaging 3.03 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Household size has crept up from 2.98 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Only six of Georgia's 159 counties have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Forsyth County
| Period | Forsyth County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.1 | 35.5 | 36.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.3 | 36.5 | 36.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.1 | 37.5 | 38.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.2 | 38.2 | 38.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.1 | +2.7 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Forsyth County are younger than 40.2 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is older than in the wider Atlanta area, where the median age is 38.2. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 37.1, in line with the national trend.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Forsyth County
| Period | Forsyth County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 13.3% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.5% | 13.6% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 12.5% | 13.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 12.7% | 13.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Forsyth County: 8.0% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged up 0.6 points, even as the national share fell. Of Georgia's 159 counties, only nine have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Forsyth County
Renters in Forsyth County
| Period | Forsyth County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.2% | 32.1% | 32.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.9% | 35.5% | 35.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.0% | 36.7% | 36.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 15.6% | 33.9% | 34.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +1.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Forsyth County is largely a place of homeowners: only 15.6% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 25.0% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 2.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Forsyth County
| Period | Forsyth County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 11.9% | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.4% | 11.4% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.7% | 8.6% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.5% | 8.0% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.2 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.5% of homes in Forsyth County are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 6.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Forsyth County has the lowest vacancy rate of any Georgia county.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Forsyth County
| Period | Forsyth County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1998 | 1988 | 1985 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1999 | 1989 | 1987 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2001 | 1990 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2004 | 1993 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Forsyth County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2004, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1998 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the east. Only one other Georgia county has newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Forsyth County
| Period | Forsyth County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,137 | $1,050 | $910 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,335 | $1,116 | $977 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,645 | $1,293 | $1,112 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,242 | $1,799 | $1,520 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,105 | +$749 | +$609 | +$606 |
The median renter in Forsyth County pays $2,242 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,105 a month since 2006–10, up 97%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 29.0% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Forsyth County has the highest rents of any Georgia county.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Forsyth County
Bachelor's degrees in Forsyth County
| Period | Forsyth County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.2% | 34.5% | 28.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 45.5% | 35.2% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 53.8% | 38.2% | 31.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 57.3% | 42.0% | 35.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.1 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Forsyth County is highly educated: nearly six in ten adults 25 and older (57.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 13.1 points, as it has nationally. Only one other Georgia county has a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Forsyth County
| Period | Forsyth County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.9% | 87.2% | 84.1% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.5% | 88.0% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.0% | 89.4% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.5% | 90.9% | 89.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | +3.6 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Forsyth County: 94.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.7 points, in line with the national trend. Only three of Georgia's 159 counties have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Forsyth County
| Period | Forsyth County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 9.0% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.2% | 10.7% | 10.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.3% | 5.2% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.5% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −3.8 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Forsyth County than nationally: unemployment was 3.5%, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.3 points, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Forsyth County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forsyth County | 3.03 | 40.2 | 8.0% | 15.6% | 4.5% | 2004 | $2,242 | 57.3% | 94.5% | 3.5% |
| Hall County | 2.97 | 39.0 | 12.2% | 31.4% | 9.9% | 1995 | $1,493 | 26.8% | 80.2% | 3.4% |
| Cherokee County | 2.80 | 41.0 | 9.4% | 22.7% | 5.8% | 2000 | $1,840 | 41.8% | 92.2% | 3.3% |
| Jackson County | 3.01 | 38.5 | 8.2% | 20.7% | 7.6% | 2002 | $1,375 | 29.4% | 89.6% | 3.2% |
| Bartow County | 2.79 | 39.5 | 10.9% | 27.2% | 10.6% | 1993 | $1,358 | 24.3% | 88.4% | 4.5% |
| Madison County | 2.80 | 40.2 | 13.6% | 23.1% | 10.0% | 1991 | $962 | 21.6% | 83.5% | 3.8% |
| Floyd County | 2.66 | 38.5 | 14.0% | 36.4% | 10.7% | 1978 | $1,016 | 26.6% | 84.2% | 4.1% |
| Polk County | 2.79 | 38.9 | 17.6% | 34.0% | 9.4% | 1983 | $983 | 15.9% | 85.4% | 5.5% |
| Elbert County | 2.46 | 43.4 | 12.6% | 29.1% | 13.0% | 1978 | $787 | 16.6% | 86.6% | 4.0% |
| Cherokee County | 2.57 | 47.6 | 7.8% | 18.9% | 28.9% | 1984 | $851 | 17.1% | 82.5% | 4.4% |
| Abbeville County | 2.46 | 43.6 | 11.0% | 21.9% | 16.7% | 1980 | $826 | 19.8% | 88.1% | 3.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Madison County, IL · Kitsap County, WA · Lafayette Parish, LA · Lake County, OH · Leon County, FL · Lexington County, SC · Linn County, IA · Lorain County, OH · Lubbock County, TX · Luzerne County, PA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Forsyth County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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