County · North Carolina
Forsyth County, North Carolina
Forsyth County, North Carolina. Forsyth County had 401,718 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.0% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 11 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 95 census tracts. GEOID 37067.
Forsyth County is one of the 5 counties of the Winston-Salem, NC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
401,718
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 382,590 · ACS 2020-2024: 389,977
Median household income
$67,165
±$1,465 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$250,400
±$5,111 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,098
±$20 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Forsyth County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 382,590 residents in Forsyth County. The Census Bureau estimates 401,718 for July 1, 2025, up 5.0% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 389,977 over 408 square miles of land.
| Measure | Forsyth County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 389,977 | 10,730,404 | +14,782 |
| Households | 159,925±1,210 | 4,282,345 | +13,109 |
| Average household size | 2.37±0.02 | 2.44 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 175,631±271 | 4,895,668 | +10,729 |
Forsyth County's population since 2000
From 306,067 in 2000 to 401,718 in 2025: up 31.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Forsyth County?
Forsyth County holds 11 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Winston-Salem with 257,271 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Winston-Salem | 249,545 | $59,268 |
|---|---|---|
| Kernersville | 26,449 | $71,918 |
| Clemmons | 21,163 | $87,655 |
| Lewisville | 13,381 | $100,917 |
| Walkertown | 5,692 | $82,615 |
| Rural Hall | 3,351 | $51,054 |
| Tobaccoville | 2,578 | $80,263 |
| King | 7,197 | $57,817 |
| GermantonGEOID 3725880 | 790 | $62,108 |
| Bethania | 344 | $87,866 |
| High Point | 114,059 | $64,561 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Forsyth County?
The median resident of Forsyth County is 38.4 years old; 22.7% are under 18 and 17.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 53.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 24.6%. 9.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Forsyth County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.4±0.2 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.7%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.0%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 15.1% | 11.3% | +2.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 53.5%±0.2 pts | 60.0% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 24.6%±0.3 pts | 20.0% | −1.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.3%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.8%±0.4 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.7%±0.4 pts | 9.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 16.2%±0.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3%±0.4 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 12.7%±0.4 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.8%±0.6 pts | 9.9% | −1.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.4%±0.5 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 38.5%±0.9 pts | 35.7% | +4.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.1%±0.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.3%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Forsyth County earn?
Half of Forsyth County's 159,925 households earn less than $67,165 a year (±$1,465), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $63,466 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,699 after inflation. 14.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Forsyth County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,165±$1,465 | $72,388 | +$3,699 |
| Mean household income | $94,029±$1,853 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,203±$752 | $41,385 | +$1,336 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.5%±0.9 pts | 13.0% | −2.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.2%±2.1 pts | 17.7% | −4.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.9%±0.9 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.2%±0.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Forsyth County?
Owners occupy 63.6% of Forsyth County's occupied homes and renters 36.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $250,400 by its owner (±$5,111). The median renter pays $1,098 a month including utilities, and 39.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Forsyth County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $250,400±$5,111 | $288,900 | +$54,350 |
| Median gross rent | $1,098±$20 | $1,228 | +$99 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.5%±2.3 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,500±$26 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.6%±0.8 pts | 66.6% | +2.0 pts |
| Housing units | 175,631±271 | 4,895,668 | +10,729 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.5%±1.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.8%±0.9 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.3%±0.4 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.2%±0.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.3%±0.5 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Forsyth County building?
Builders took permits for 2,875 new housing units across Forsyth County in 2025 (2,863 single-family), 7.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Forsyth County get to work?
73.7% of Forsyth County's workers drive alone and 14.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.0%.
| Measure | Forsyth County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.2%±0.6 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0%±0.5 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.7%±0.9 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.4%±0.6 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.4%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.5%±0.7 pts | 16.3% | +9.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.7 min±0.6 | 25.1 min | +0.8 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Forsyth County's census tracts?
Forsyth County is divided into 95 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $15,500 (Tract 16.02) to $164,423 (Tract 25.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Forsyth County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 4th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 38th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th of 100 |
| Median household income | 31st of 100 |
| Median home value | 34th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 31st of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 51st of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14th of 100 |
| Median age | 84th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Forsyth County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.