Forsyth County, North Carolina

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Forsyth County
U.S. county
Forsyth County Courthouse in Winston-Salem.
Forsyth County Courthouse in Winston-Salem.
Flag of Forsyth County
Flag
Official seal of Forsyth County
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Forsyth County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°08′N 80°16′W / 36.13°N 80.26°W / 36.13; -80.26
Country United States
State North Carolina
FoundedJanuary 16, 1849
Named forColonel Benjamin Forsyth
SeatWinston-Salem
Largest cityWinston-Salem
Area
 • Total413 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Land408 sq mi (1,060 km2)
 • Water4.5 sq mi (12 km2)  1.1%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
382,295
 • Density895.4/sq mi (345.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts6th, 10th
Websitewww.co.forsyth.nc.us

Forsyth County is located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 350,670,[1] making it the fourth-most populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Winston-Salem.[2]

Forsyth County is included in the Winston-Salem, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, NC Combined Statistical Area.

Parts 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.[3]

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county is in the outer Appalachian Mountains, and has a total area of 413 square miles (1,070 km2), of which 408 square miles (1,060 km2) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km2) (1.1%) is water.[4]

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[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
185011,168—
186012,69213.6%
187013,0502.8%
188018,07038.5%
189028,43457.4%
190035,26124.0%
191047,31134.2%
192077,26963.3%
1930111,68144.5%
1940126,47513.2%
1950146,13515.5%
1960189,42829.6%
1970214,34813.2%
1980243,68313.7%
1990265,8789.1%
2000306,06715.1%
2010350,67014.6%
2019 (est.)382,295[5]9.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[10] 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 of the county 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.

In the county, the population was spread out, 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. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,097, and the median income for a family was $52,032. Males had a median income of $36,158 versus $27,319 for females. The per capita income for the county 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[]

Map of Forsyth County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Cities[]

  • Winston-Salem (county seat)
  • High Point (mostly in Guilford County, also in Randolph County, Davidson County)
  • King (mostly in Stokes County)

Towns[]

Villages[]

Census-designated place[]

Townships[]

Former township[]

Unincorporated communities[]

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 .

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 locations all across the county.[12]

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health is located at 799 North Highland Avenue in 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.

Presidential elections results

See also[]

Forsyth County Public Safety Center

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 128.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  5. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. ^ "Middle Fork Township". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  12. ^ "Locations". Forsyth County Public Library website. Forsyth County. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-15.

External links[]

Coordinates: 36°08′N 80°16′W / 36.13°N 80.26°W / 36.13; -80.26

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