Population 389,977 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Forsyth County
Household size in Forsyth County
| Period | Forsyth County | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.48 | 2.49 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.49 | 2.50 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.52 | 2.49 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.46 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | −0.03 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Forsyth County run small, averaging 2.43 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has edged down from 2.48 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Households are largest in the northeast and smallest in the center.
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 | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.8 | 39.1 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.6 | 40.2 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.6 | 41.5 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.7 | 41.5 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.9 | +2.4 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Forsyth County are younger than 39.7 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is younger than in the wider Winston-Salem area, where the median age is 41.5. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 37.8, mirroring the country.
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 | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.2% | 12.1% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.2% | 12.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.5% | 11.7% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.8% | 11.8% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Forsyth County (12.8%), a bit above the national share of 11.6%. Forsyth County has a higher share of single-parent households than most North Carolina counties.
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 | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.1% | 29.2% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 36.9% | 31.4% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.4% | 33.2% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 36.4% | 30.8% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in Forsyth County is about as common as it is nationally: 36.4% of households rent, against 34.8%. Renters make up a bigger share here than in the Winston-Salem area as a whole (30.8%). About four in ten owners (39.8%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 2.3 points, as it has nationally.
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 | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.7% | 11.4% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.9% | 11.5% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.3% | 11.4% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.7% | 9.9% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Forsyth County is close to the national rate: 9.7% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.0 points, mirroring the country. Forsyth County has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of North Carolina counties.
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 | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1979 | 1980 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1979 | 1980 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1982 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1985 | 1985 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +7 | +6 |
The housing in Forsyth County is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1985, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1979 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $752 | $700 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $824 | $751 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $904 | $830 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,234 | $1,102 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$483 | +$403 | +$528 | +$606 |
The median renter in Forsyth County pays $1,234 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are higher than in the Winston-Salem area overall ($1,102). Rent has climbed $483 a month since 2006–10, up 64%, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 29.7% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.0% | 25.2% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 32.0% | 25.9% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.1% | 27.2% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 38.6% | 31.2% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +6.0 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Nearly four in ten adults 25 and older in Forsyth County (38.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is higher than in the Winston-Salem area overall (31.2%). The share with a degree has risen 6.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.8% | 83.9% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.7% | 84.4% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.0% | 87.0% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.9% | 89.6% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +5.7 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Forsyth County is close to the national rate: 89.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.1 points, in line with the national trend.
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 | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 8.4% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.9% | 10.3% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.3% | 4.8% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −3.5 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.3%, unemployment in Forsyth County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 2.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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 | 2.43 | 39.7 | 12.8% | 36.4% | 9.7% | 1985 | $1,234 | 38.6% | 89.9% | 5.3% |
| Guilford County | 2.44 | 38.6 | 12.8% | 40.1% | 10.2% | 1984 | $1,268 | 38.9% | 90.7% | 4.7% |
| Yadkin County | 2.51 | 44.8 | 9.4% | 23.1% | 13.6% | 1983 | $844 | 17.9% | 86.5% | 5.0% |
| Alamance County | 2.51 | 39.6 | 12.2% | 35.0% | 9.7% | 1986 | $1,093 | 28.6% | 88.2% | 5.2% |
| Wilkes County | 2.43 | 45.7 | 12.5% | 26.5% | 15.0% | 1979 | $728 | 16.7% | 81.6% | 5.5% |
| Watauga County | 2.33 | 35.3 | 6.0% | 37.9% | 27.1% | 1986 | $1,142 | 52.3% | 91.3% | 7.7% |
| Granville County | 2.58 | 41.5 | 13.9% | 22.9% | 12.7% | 1991 | $1,074 | 25.1% | 88.1% | 5.0% |
| Avery County | 2.31 | 46.8 | 5.7% | 17.0% | 42.2% | 1984 | $869 | 25.0% | 87.4% | 4.6% |
| Franklin County | 2.57 | 41.9 | 10.9% | 21.4% | 8.7% | 1997 | $1,106 | 27.8% | 89.2% | 4.8% |
| Unicoi County | 2.23 | 46.9 | 10.2% | 27.1% | 11.7% | 1975 | $824 | 20.8% | 86.9% | 4.5% |
| Greene County | 2.49 | 44.3 | 9.3% | 22.9% | 13.4% | 1983 | $763 | 19.5% | 88.3% | 5.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Berks County, PA · Virginia Beach City, VA · Tulare County, CA · Burlington County, NJ · Manatee County, FL · Rockingham County, NH · Richland County, SC · Pulaski County, AR · Prince William County, VA · Placer County, CA
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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