Forsyth County, North Carolina

Forsyth County is a county 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
U.S. county
Forsyth County Courthouse in Winston-Salem.
Flag
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°08′N 80°16′W
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 district5th
Websitewww.co.forsyth.nc.us

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

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
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%
Est. 2019382,295[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

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 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 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
Presidential elections results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 42.6% 75,975 53.0% 94,464 4.4% 7,873
2012 45.8% 79,768 53.0% 92,323 1.1% 1,978
2008 44.4% 73,674 54.8% 91,085 0.8% 1,374
2004 54.1% 75,294 45.5% 63,340 0.4% 491
2000 56.0% 67,700 43.4% 52,457 0.7% 785
1996 52.8% 59,160 41.5% 46,543 5.7% 6,330
1992 45.4% 52,787 42.2% 49,006 12.5% 14,481
1988 59.0% 57,688 40.7% 39,726 0.3% 321
1984 61.5% 59,208 38.3% 36,814 0.2% 189
1980 50.0% 42,389 45.8% 38,870 4.2% 3,539
1976 49.3% 38,886 50.2% 39,561 0.5% 361
1972 67.7% 46,415 30.5% 20,928 1.8% 1,226
1968 46.8% 31,623 30.0% 20,281 23.2% 15,681
1964 48.9% 30,276 51.1% 31,615
1960 58.1% 33,374 41.9% 24,035
1956 65.0% 29,368 35.0% 15,819
1952 51.9% 26,436 48.1% 24,535
1948 41.0% 10,147 49.4% 12,201 9.6% 2,377
1944 37.9% 10,014 62.1% 16,390
1940 25.6% 7,125 74.4% 20,664
1936 21.9% 5,256 78.1% 18,734
1932 28.5% 5,727 69.7% 14,016 1.8% 357
1928 66.6% 13,258 33.4% 6,639
1924 40.3% 5,315 56.2% 7,404 3.5% 459
1920 45.5% 6,792 54.5% 8,123
1916 45.2% 3,585 51.8% 4,115 3.0% 238
1912 26.7% 1,689 48.1% 3,042 25.2% 1,591
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See also
Forsyth County Public Safety Center

References
  1. "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.

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