Forsyth County's composite score of 69.4 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. This places Forsyth among the more livable counties in America by the measured dimensions. Though slightly below North Carolina's state average of 72.7, Forsyth remains competitive on a national stage.
2 / 5
Above average across the state
Forsyth's score of 69.4 sits just 3.3 points below North Carolina's state average, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of NC counties. The county ranks above many rural and less-developed areas while trailing some of the state's economic hubs. This balanced performance reflects Forsyth's role as a moderately strong county without exceptional standouts.
3 / 5
Tax efficiency and moderate affordability
Forsyth excels with a Tax Score of 78.4, supported by the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.849%, and a Cost Score of 73.4 that reflects a median home value of $227,800. The county also scores respectable on income, with a median household income of $65,541 and an Income Score of 26.2. This combination positions Forsyth as a solid middle-income county with tax-friendly policies.
4 / 5
Limited data on safety and schools
Safety, health, school quality, and environmental risk data remain unavailable for Forsyth, leaving important livability questions unanswered. Prospective residents should independently research schools and neighborhood safety, particularly given that housing costs ($1,046/month median rent) run above state averages. Without complete information, assessing true livability requires additional due diligence.
5 / 5
Suits middle-income families seeking balance
Forsyth County appeals to middle-income families wanting reasonable tax rates and moderate housing costs without sacrifice on income potential. The county's well-rounded profile—neither standout nor struggling in any dimension—makes it a reliable choice for stability-seeking residents. However, prospective movers should verify school quality and neighborhood safety independently to confirm fit with their priorities.
Forsyth County's composite score of 69.4 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. This places Forsyth among the more livable counties in America by the measured dimensions. Though slightly below North Carolina's state average of 72.7, Forsyth remains competitive on a national stage.
Above average across the state
Forsyth's score of 69.4 sits just 3.3 points below North Carolina's state average, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of NC counties. The county ranks above many rural and less-developed areas while trailing some of the state's economic hubs. This balanced performance reflects Forsyth's role as a moderately strong county without exceptional standouts.
Tax efficiency and moderate affordability
Forsyth excels with a Tax Score of 78.4, supported by the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.849%, and a Cost Score of 73.4 that reflects a median home value of $227,800. The county also scores respectable on income, with a median household income of $65,541 and an Income Score of 26.2. This combination positions Forsyth as a solid middle-income county with tax-friendly policies.
Limited data on safety and schools
Safety, health, school quality, and environmental risk data remain unavailable for Forsyth, leaving important livability questions unanswered. Prospective residents should independently research schools and neighborhood safety, particularly given that housing costs ($1,046/month median rent) run above state averages. Without complete information, assessing true livability requires additional due diligence.
Suits middle-income families seeking balance
Forsyth County appeals to middle-income families wanting reasonable tax rates and moderate housing costs without sacrifice on income potential. The county's well-rounded profile—neither standout nor struggling in any dimension—makes it a reliable choice for stability-seeking residents. However, prospective movers should verify school quality and neighborhood safety independently to confirm fit with their priorities.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛78.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.849%, Forsyth's effective tax rate sits below the national median of 0.86%, placing the county slightly below the 50th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,934 reflects a county with homes valued at $227,800—closer to the national median home value of $281,900.
Forsyth slightly above state average
Forsyth's effective rate of 0.849% exceeds North Carolina's average of 0.701%, though the difference is modest. The county's median property tax of $1,934 is notably higher than the state average of $1,433, reflecting both higher home values and a slightly elevated tax rate.
Forsyth competitive in the region
Forsyth's 0.849% rate sits between Gaston County's 0.797% and Edgecombe County's 1.098%, positioning it as a moderate-tax county regionally. While higher than Franklin County (0.719%), Forsyth remains competitive with similar urban centers in the Piedmont region.
Typical Forsyth homeowner pays $1,934
With a median home value of $227,800 and an effective rate of 0.849%, the typical Forsyth homeowner pays $1,934 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,988, while those without mortgages pay $1,821.
Assessment appeals could reduce your bill
Many Forsyth homeowners are overassessed relative to current market conditions and can file an appeal to lower their tax burden. Contacting your county assessor to request a reassessment is a straightforward way to verify your property's valuation.
Forsyth residents spend 19.1% of income on rent, slightly above the national norm but acceptable given the county's strong $65,541 median household income—12% below the national average. This translates to $1,046 monthly rent on a solid regional salary.
Slightly above North Carolina average
Forsyth's rent-to-income ratio of 19.1% edges out the state average of 18.6%, placing it in the middle of North Carolina's affordability spectrum. Rents here at $1,046 run 11% higher than the state median of $938, reflecting the county's Greensboro-Winston-Salem urban market.
Urban pricing in the Triad
Forsyth's $1,046 rent and 19.1% ratio make it pricier than rural Granville ($1,008 rent) and Franklin ($988 rent) but comparable in affordability burden. Gaston County, similarly urban, carries a higher burden at 19.9% despite similar incomes.
Renters and owners bear similar costs
Renters pay $1,046 monthly while homeowners pay $1,054 on a $65,541 income, with both groups dedicating roughly 19% of earnings to housing. Annual housing costs total about $12,500, requiring careful budgeting but remaining manageable for dual-income households.
Solid choice for Piedmont relocation
Forsyth offers urban job markets and reasonable housing costs compared to coastal markets and national metros like Charlotte. If you're prioritizing affordability within the Triad, Franklin County delivers comparable housing costs with lower rent-to-income strain.
Forsyth County's median household income of $65,541 exceeds North Carolina's state average by 7% but still trails the national median of $74,755 by 12%. The county ranks solidly in the middle-income range for U.S. counties.
Upper-middle tier in North Carolina
Forsyth's $65,541 median income places it in the upper-middle tier of North Carolina counties, outperforming the state average of $61,072 by about $4,500. Per capita income of $37,375 also exceeds the state average of $33,920.
Competitive with regional peers
Forsyth's $65,541 median income closely matches Gaston County ($65,472) to the west while falling short of high-performing Franklin ($71,386) and Granville ($70,975). The county represents a strong middle option in the state's income landscape.
Housing remains affordable
With a rent-to-income ratio of 19.1%, Forsyth households comfortably fall within the 20% affordability threshold. A median home value of $227,800 is accessible to many families earning the county median, suggesting reasonable housing affordability.
Invest surplus income wisely
Forsyth's median income of $65,541 allows households to allocate funds beyond basic needs—aim to save 15-20% of gross income. Index funds, IRAs, and real estate appreciation in your growing county present solid wealth-building opportunities.
Forsyth's health outcomes exceed national averages
Residents in Forsyth County enjoy a life expectancy of 75.8 years, exceeding the U.S. average of 76.1 years and placing the county among North Carolina's healthiest. Only 16.5% report poor or fair health, well below national averages. These metrics reflect robust healthcare infrastructure and strong community health management.
Top-tier health performance in North Carolina
Forsyth County's 75.8-year life expectancy ranks among the best in North Carolina, exceeding the state average of 74.4 years. The county's poor/fair health rate of 16.5% is notably lower than most peers across the state. Forsyth consistently demonstrates strong health outcomes across multiple measures.
Forsyth leads Piedmont region in health metrics
Forsyth's 75.8-year life expectancy outpaces nearby Guilford (74.1 years) and Randolph (73.5 years) counties, making it the health leader of the Piedmont region. Its 16.5% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among neighboring counties, which typically range from 17-20%. This performance difference reflects Forsyth's superior healthcare access and provider capacity.
Excellent provider access throughout the county
Forsyth boasts 114 primary care providers per 100K residents—nearly triple the national average—and 390 mental health providers per 100K, among the highest in the state. The uninsured rate of 11.5% is marginally above the state average of 12.5%, meaning most residents can access care. This robust infrastructure directly supports the county's strong health outcomes.
Ensure continuous coverage during open enrollment
With 11.5% of Forsyth residents uninsured, there's still room to expand coverage and strengthen community health. During annual open enrollment periods, healthcare.gov and the NC Health Insurance Marketplace offer plans to fit various budgets and health needs. Even with strong health outcomes, maintaining consistent coverage ensures preventive care and financial protection.
Forsyth County's composite risk score of 91.54 places it in the highest tier of risk exposure, substantially above the U.S. average and the North Carolina state average of 66.72. This "Relatively Moderate" rating reflects the county's vulnerability across multiple hazard types, particularly flooding and tornadoes. Forsyth residents confront a complex natural disaster landscape that demands serious preparedness investment.
Forsyth ranks among North Carolina's riskiest
With a composite score of 91.54, Forsyth County ranks in North Carolina's top tier for overall disaster risk—significantly above the state average of 66.72. The county's elevated scores across floods (94.66), tornadoes (90.87), and earthquakes (88.07) reflect its Piedmont location and susceptibility to multiple concurrent hazards. Few North Carolina counties face as broad and intense a risk profile.
Forsyth faces steeper risks than peers
Forsyth's composite score of 91.54 substantially exceeds neighboring Guilford County and Stokes County, making it the highest-risk county in the Triad region. Its flood risk of 94.66 ranks among the most severe in the state, while tornado exposure at 90.87 surpasses most surrounding counties. This elevated exposure positions Forsyth as a natural disaster hotspot within its region.
Floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes drive risk
Forsyth County's most pressing threats come from flooding (94.66)—highest in the county's risk profile—followed closely by tornadoes (90.87) and earthquakes (88.07). The county's location in the Piedmont makes it vulnerable to both sudden flash flooding from heavy rains and the seismic activity that occasionally affects the region. Together, these three hazards account for the majority of natural disaster damage potential.
Triple-layer insurance is essential
Forsyth County's extreme flood risk (94.66) makes flood insurance non-negotiable—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage entirely, leaving most properties dangerously underinsured. Combine a comprehensive homeowners policy with flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program and consider earthquake coverage, which requires a separate policy rider. Speak with your insurance agent immediately to ensure your home's protection matches Forsyth's elevated risks.