Forsyth County

Georgia · GA

#148 in Georgia
61.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Forsyth County, Georgia

Well above national livability standard

Forsyth County scores 60.3 on the composite index, significantly exceeding the national median of 50.0. This upper-middle performance reflects strong economic indicators, though the county faces affordability trade-offs.

Below Georgia average despite wealth

Forsyth County scores 60.3, falling below Georgia's state average of 70.9 despite having the highest median household income among these eight counties. Housing costs and availability appear to be dragging down the overall score.

Highest incomes, excellent tax rates

Forsyth leads with a median household income of $138,000 and an income score of 73.4, nearly triple the median in some peer counties. Its tax score of 80.9 with an effective rate of 0.759% ensures residents keep more of their earnings.

Housing affordability is steep

The cost score of 41.5 reflects median home values of $493,800 and median rent of $1,937 monthly—among the highest in this group. Safety, health, school, and environmental dimensions lack available data.

Affluent professionals, not first-time buyers

Forsyth County is built for high-earning professionals and established families comfortable with premium housing costs. The county delivers wealth-friendly tax treatment and strong incomes but demands significant housing expenditure.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax80.9Cost41.5SafetyComing SoonHealth80.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome73.4Risk13.9WaterComing Soon
🏛80.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠41.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼73.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
80.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
13.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Forsyth County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Forsyth County

via TaxByCounty

Forsyth's rate ranks low nationally

Forsyth County's effective tax rate of 0.759% is well below Georgia's state average of 0.898% and places it among the more tax-efficient counties across America. Though the median tax here is $3,747—higher than the national median of $2,690—this reflects Forsyth's elevated home values of $493,800, not a high tax rate.

One of Georgia's lowest rates

Forsyth County ranks among the most tax-friendly counties in Georgia with a 0.759% effective rate, well below the state average of 0.898%. This advantage compounds for homeowners with high-value properties, where even a lower rate saves substantial dollars annually.

Lowest rate in the Atlanta region

Forsyth County's 0.759% effective rate significantly undercuts Fulton County's 0.892% and outperforms most neighboring counties across North Georgia. Prosperous homeowners looking to minimize tax burden in the metro area find Forsyth's rate structure particularly advantageous.

Premium homes, efficient taxes

A typical Forsyth County home valued at $493,800 carries an annual property tax of $3,747. With a mortgage, the tax rises to around $4,025; without one, homeowners pay approximately $2,374.

Even low rates reward appeals

High-value properties in Forsyth County are sometimes assessed above market, and given the large sums involved, an appeal could return significant savings. Every Georgia homeowner has the right to challenge their assessment if they believe it exceeds fair market value.

Cost of Living in Forsyth County

via CostByCounty

Forsyth punches above national income curves

Forsyth County's $138,000 median household income is 85% higher than the national median of $74,755, and renters here spend only 16.8% of income on rent—below the national ratio. This wealthy suburban county achieves affordability through sheer earning power rather than cheap housing.

Georgia's most affluent housing market

Forsyth County ranks as one of Georgia's most expensive and wealthiest counties, with a median home value of $493,800 and the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this analysis at 16.8%. Its affordability advantage stems entirely from exceptionally high household incomes, not lower costs.

Forsyth costs reflect upscale suburban status

At $1,937 monthly rent, Forsyth is Georgia's priciest rental market in this comparison—$1,010 more than rural Franklin County. Yet the county's 16.8% rent-to-income ratio proves this premium remains manageable for its high-earning residents.

Hefty housing costs, but income scales higher

Forsyth renters pay $1,937 monthly and homeowners $2,044, totaling roughly $4,000 in annual housing expenses on a $138,000 income. This 35% housing-cost burden is higher in absolute dollars than most counties but lower as a percentage of income.

Forsyth rewards high earners with convenience

Moving to Forsyth makes sense if your household income matches or exceeds the county's $138,000 median—the combination of excellent schools, low crime, and highway proximity justifies the premium. If your income falls below $100,000, you'll face affordability challenges despite the county's low rent-to-income ratio.

Income & Jobs in Forsyth County

via IncomeByCounty

Forsyth County dominates national earnings

At $138,000, Forsyth County's median household income nearly doubles the U.S. median of $74,755—a gap of $63,245. This extraordinary wealth places Forsyth among the most affluent counties in America, reflecting a booming suburban economy anchored by Atlanta's northern growth corridor.

Georgia's wealth champion

Forsyth County's $138,000 income towers 128% above Georgia's state average of $60,488, making it the clear income leader across all 159 Georgia counties. This dominance reflects decades of steady corporate relocation and high-wage job creation in the region.

Vastly outpaces Atlanta metro rivals

Forsyth County's $138,000 median dwarfs Fulton County's $91,490 and every other neighboring county measured here. Even the region's second-wealthiest county lags by roughly $47,000, underscoring Forsyth's exceptional economic position.

Affluence offset by housing costs

Despite high incomes, Forsyth County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% and median home value of $493,800 signal that housing consumes substantial wealth. At this price point, homes require disciplined financing; most households spend $23,184 annually on mortgage or rent, a manageable but significant commitment.

Invest aggressively at peak earning years

Forsyth County's $138,000 household income provides exceptional capacity for wealth building beyond basic homeownership. High earners should maximize retirement contributions, diversify into taxable investment accounts, and consider real estate or business investments to compound wealth over decades.

Health in Forsyth County

via HealthByCounty

Forsyth County boasts exceptional longevity

At 81.0 years, Forsyth County residents live 2.1 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 11.9% poor or fair health rate is less than two-thirds of the national average, reflecting robust community health outcomes.

Georgia's healthiest county

Forsyth County's 81.0-year life expectancy dramatically exceeds Georgia's 73.3-year average by 7.7 years. The county ranks as one of Georgia's top performers in health outcomes, setting a benchmark for the state.

Far outpacing regional health trends

Forsyth County's life expectancy of 81.0 years surpasses Floyd County (72.6 years) by 8.4 years and Fulton County (77.5 years) by 3.5 years. The county's 11.9% poor or fair health rate is the lowest among its peer counties, reflecting exceptional wellness across the region.

Low uninsured rates, limited primary access

Only 8.3% of Forsyth County residents lack health insurance—nearly half the state average of 15.0%—indicating strong coverage. However, primary care availability at 40 per 100K lags behind Floyd County (135 per 100K), suggesting residents may need to travel for routine care.

Maintain your winning advantage

With 8.3% uninsured, Forsyth County is doing well—but the remaining uninsured should act now. Check healthcare.gov to see if you qualify for subsidies or marketplace plans that fit your budget.

Disaster Risk in Forsyth County

via RiskByCounty

Forsyth County faces elevated disaster risks

Forsyth County's composite risk score of 86.13 substantially exceeds the national average, placing it in the "Relatively Moderate" risk category. This rating reflects significant exposure across multiple disaster types that every resident should account for in their preparedness plans.

Among Georgia's highest-risk counties

Forsyth County's score of 86.13 towers over Georgia's state average of 39.49, making it one of the state's most disaster-prone counties. This more-than-doubling of state-average risk signals that Forsyth faces hazard pressures distinctly different from most of Georgia.

Most threatened county in the region

Forsyth County (86.13) surpasses neighboring Floyd County (81.97) and significantly outranks nearby counties like Gilmer (68.10), making it the most at-risk in its immediate area. This elevated status warrants particular attention to regional disaster planning and home hardening efforts.

Floods and tornadoes dominate here

Flood risk in Forsyth County reaches 90.01, among the state's highest, while tornado risk peaks at 94.31, reflecting vulnerability to severe weather systems. These two hazards together account for the county's outsized composite risk and demand dedicated mitigation strategies.

Prioritize flood and wind coverage now

Forsyth County residents in flood-prone zones should obtain flood insurance immediately, as standard policies provide no coverage and the National Flood Insurance Program enrollment has waiting periods. Additionally, ensure your homeowners policy includes tornado/windstorm coverage and consider impact-resistant roofing and reinforced garage doors in this high-tornado-risk zone.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.