Forsyth County, NC

County

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2024 Population

389,977

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

38.4

0.261% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

14.5%

1.2% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$67,165

2.48% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$250,400

9.92% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

183,716

1.55% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Forsyth County, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.1% of the residents in Forsyth County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Forsyth County, NC are Wake Forest University (3,051 degrees awarded in 2023), Forsyth Technical Community College (1,974 degrees), and Winston-Salem State University (1,088 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Forsyth County, NC was $250,400, and the homeownership rate was 63.6%.

Most people in Forsyth County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Forsyth County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Forsyth County, NC borders Davidson County, NC, Davie County, NC, Guilford County, NC, Rockingham County, NC, Stokes County, NC, Surry County, NC, and Yadkin County, NC.

About the photo: Falls at Reynolda House Path

Photo by Susan Smith

United States North Carolina Winston-Salem, NC

Population & Diversity

Forsyth County, NC is home to a population of 390k people, from which 94.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 9.61% of Forsyth County, NC residents were born outside of the country (37.5k people).

In 2024, there were 2.18 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (209k people) in Forsyth County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 95.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 24.8k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.1%

2024 Citizenship

94.3%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 94.1% of Forsyth County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Forsyth County, NC was 94.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Forsyth County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Forsyth County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
209k ± 791
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
95.9k ± 1.34k
Other (Hispanic)
24.8k ± 2.22k

15.1%

Hispanic Population

58.9k people

15.1% of the people in Forsyth County, NC are hispanic (58.9k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Forsyth County, NC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
224,963 ± 11,520 people
India
83,219 ± 7,055 people
Honduras
48,247 ± 5,380 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 224,963 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 83,219 and Honduras with 48,247.

Foreign-Born Population

9.61%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

37.5k people

9.12%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

35.3k people

As of 2024, 9.61% of Forsyth County, NC residents (37.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Forsyth County, NC was 9.12%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Forsyth County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
6,488 ± 635
Gulf War (2001-)
4,092 ± 647
Gulf War (1990s)
3,214 ± 495

Forsyth County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.59 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Forsyth County, NC.

Economy

The economy of Forsyth County, NC employs 184k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Forsyth County, NC were Health Care & Social Assistance (33,376 people), Manufacturing (23,164 people), and Retail Trade (18,666 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($124,531), Finance & Insurance ($74,373), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($72,288).

Employment

Occupations

184k

2024 Value

± 3,890

1.55%

1 Year growth

± 2.95%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Forsyth County, NC grew at a rate of 1.55%, from 181k employees to 184k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Forsyth County, NC, are Management Occupations (19,865 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (19,707 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (15,676 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Forsyth County, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

184k

2024 Value

± 3,890

1.55%

1 Year growth

± 2.95%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Forsyth County, NC grew at a rate of 1.55%, from 181k employees to 184k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Forsyth County, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (33,376 people), Manufacturing (23,164 people), and Retail Trade (18,666 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Forsyth County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Forsyth County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$49,848

Median earning men ± $1,212

$40,201

Median earning women ± $1,469

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($82,617), Public Administration ($67,034), and Wholesale Trade ($62,292).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($63,013), Public Administration ($53,200), and Wholesale Trade ($53,099).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Y-Axis

3.04%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.86M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 3.04% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

657
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
580
Construction
579
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$2.21M
Health Care and Social Assistance
$1.15M
Manufacturing
$1.15M
Management of Companies and Enterprises

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Education

In 2023, universities in Forsyth County, NC awarded 6,826 degrees. The student population of Forsyth County, NC in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 9,356 male students and 15,925 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Forsyth County, NC are White (3,577 and 56.5%), Black or African American (1,470 and 23.2%), Hispanic or Latino (699 and 11%), and Two or More Races (222 and 3.5%).

The largest universities in Forsyth County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Wake Forest University (3,051 and 44.7%), Forsyth Technical Community College (1,974 and 28.9%), and Winston-Salem State University (1,088 and 15.9%).

The most popular majors in Forsyth County, NC are General Business Administration & Management (570 and 8.35%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (484 and 7.09%), and Registered Nursing (262 and 3.84%).

The median tuition costs in Forsyth County, NC are $22,818 for private four year colleges, and $4,949 and $19,144 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Forsyth County, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 40.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 22.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 25,281 (37% men and 63% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 25,281 students enrolled in Forsyth County, NC, 37% men and 63% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 10,828 records, of which 59.9% were women and 40.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Finance
156 degrees awarded
General Psychology
200 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
158 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Forsyth County, NC was General Finance with 156 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Forsyth County, NC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Wake Forest University
3,051 degrees awarded
Forsyth Technical Community College
1,974 degrees awarded
Winston-Salem State University
1,088 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Wake Forest University with 3,051 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 2,711 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Forsyth County, NC, which is 0.659 times less than the 4,115 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,577 degrees mean that there were 2.43 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,470 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($22,818) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($3,157) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,700) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Forsyth County, NC was $250,400 in 2024, which is 0.753 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $227,800 to $250,400, a 9.92% increase. The homeownership rate in Forsyth County, NC is 63.6%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Forsyth County, NC have an average commute time of 22.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Forsyth County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 15.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Forsyth County, NC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.712%.

Housing

Property

$250,400

Median Property Value 2024

±$5,111

$101,645

Median Property Taxes

±$2,539

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Forsyth County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Forsyth County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

63.6%

Homeownership

2024

68.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 63.6% of the housing units in Forsyth County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 62.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Forsyth County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$67,165

Median Household Income

± $1,465

160k

Number of Households

± 3,439

In 2024, the median household income of the 160k households in Forsyth County, NC grew to $67,165 from the previous year's value of $65,541.

The following chart displays the households in Forsyth County, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Forsyth County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.467

2023 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2022 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2023, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.467 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.639% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (73.7%)
Worked At Home (14.5%)
Carpooled (8.4%)

In 2024, 73.7% of workers in Forsyth County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (14.5%) and those who carpooled to work (8.4%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

22.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Forsyth County, NC have a shorter commute time (22.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.27% of the workforce in Forsyth County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Forsyth County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Forsyth County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Forsyth County, NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 15.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Forsyth County, NC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.712%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

14.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Forsyth County, NC (55.1k out of 379k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Forsyth County, NC is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 23.2% of the children was living in poverty in Forsyth County, NC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 9.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 576 in Forsyth County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 12 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

90.2% of the population of Forsyth County, NC has health coverage, with 46.1% on employee plans, 17.1% on Medicaid, 13.1% on Medicare, 12.8% on non-group plans, and 1.17% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Forsyth County, NC see 878 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (878 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1526 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 256 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.5% were men and 52.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

878 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Forsyth County, NC

Primary care physicians in Forsyth County, NC see an average of 878 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (878 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Forsyth County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.4% under 18 years, 21.5% between 18 and 34 years, 37.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.5% were men and 52.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

9.79%

Uninsured

46.1%

Employer Coverage

17.1%

Medicaid

13.1%

Medicare

12.8%

Non-Group

1.17%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Forsyth County, NC declined by 7% from 10.5% to 9.79%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Forsyth County, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 67.9 in Forsyth County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Forsyth County, NC.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 31.8% in Forsyth County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Forsyth County, NC.