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Forsyth County, North Carolina — County Report Card

NC

#90 in North Carolina

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
34
County Score
Water Quality 86Weather & Climate 68.5Lawn Care 55.6

County Report Card

About Forsyth County, North Carolina

Positioned Below the National Midpoint

Forsyth County carries a composite score of 33.8, trailing the 50.0 national median. This indicates room for improvement across several public service and environmental dimensions.

Performance Below the North Carolina Average

The county's score of 33.8 falls behind the statewide average of 44.7. While it serves as a regional hub, it lags behind other urban North Carolina counties in overall livability.

Clean Water and Reliable Incomes

Water quality is a major highlight with a score of 86.0. Residents also benefit from an Income Score of 56.1, supported by a median household income of $65,541.

Addressing Safety and Risk Concerns

The county faces hurdles with a Safety Score of 2.8 and an environmental Risk Score of 8.5. These low figures significantly weigh down the overall composite rating.

A Mixed Bag for Urban Professionals

Forsyth suits workers who value a solid income and utility infrastructure over environmental stability and safety metrics. It is an urban trade-off where economic opportunity currently outweighs public security scores.

2040608010051.225.12.854.132.554.98.58668.5Tax51.2Cost25.1Safety2.8Health54.1Schools32.5Income54.9Risk8.5Water86Weather68.534/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Forsyth County DNA

Foverall

How Forsyth County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Forsyth County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Safety (2.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
51.2
Cost
25.1-22.9
Safety
2.8-52.2
Health
54.1
Schools
32.5-21.5
Income
54.9
Risk
8.5-38.5
Water
86+28
Weather
68.5+12.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$250,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,098/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$250,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$43,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $67,165/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

22.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Compare Forsyth County with Chatham County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Yadkin County
North Carolina
50.6
Davie County
North Carolina
44.4
Davidson County
North Carolina
38.6
Guilford County
North Carolina
34.8
Stokes County
North Carolina
63.2
Surry County
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50.2
Rowan County
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38.5
Rockingham County
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39.2

Deep Dives

Forsyth County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Forsyth County

via TaxByCounty

Forsyth below national average

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Forsyth County

via IncomeByCounty

Forsyth households earn modestly above state

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Forsyth County

via CrimeByCounty

Total Crime Higher Than National Median

Forsyth County reports 4,153.8 total crimes per 100K, nearly double the national average of 2,385.5. These statistics contribute to an overall safety score of 93.4.

Trailing North Carolina Safety Norms

The county's safety score of 93.4 is lower than the North Carolina state average of 96.8. Local agencies report a crime rate that is significantly higher than the state-wide average of 2,050.0 per 100K.

Higher Crime Frequency Than Nearby Gaston

Forsyth's crime rate of 4,153.8 per 100K is notably higher than Gaston County’s rate of 2,772.4. This indicates a more active criminal landscape within the Winston-Salem metropolitan area.

Property Crime Outpaces Violent Acts

Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,289.7 per 100K, while violent crime accounts for 864.1 incidents. Both figures exceed national benchmarks, suggesting residents face higher risks than the average American.

Enhancing Security in Urban Areas

Given the high property crime rate, residents should invest in alarm systems and motion-activated cameras. Always locking vehicles and entry points remains the most effective deterrent against local theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Forsyth County

via WeatherByCounty

A Balanced Four-Season Climate

Forsyth’s 58.2°F average is warm compared to the national median but moderate for the Southeast. It offers a clear four-season experience without the coastal extremes.

Slightly Cooler Than the State Average

The county is 1.1 degrees cooler than the state average of 59.3°F. This reflects its position in the western Piedmont, further from the warming effects of the coast.

Drier and Milder Than Neighbors

With 33 extreme heat days, Forsyth is milder than neighboring Davie's 41 days. Its annual precipitation of 45.2 inches is the lowest among these eight counties.

Moderate Summers and Cool Winters

Summer highs average 77.9°F in July, while winters are cool with a 40.2°F average in January. While local snowfall data is unavailable, the 33 heat days suggest a balanced climate.

Water Conservation and Heat Prep

This is a drier county, so landscaping may require supplemental watering during the 45.2-inch rainfall year. Residents should still prepare for a consistent 33 days of 90-degree weather.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Forsyth County

via SoilByCounty

Forsyth's typical Piedmont acidity

Forsyth County features a soil pH of 5.48, which is slightly more alkaline than the state average of 5.14. However, it remains more acidic than the national median of 6.5, a common trait for this region.

Balanced textures for better retention

The local soil mix contains 58.7% sand, 23.6% silt, and 16.7% clay. This moderate clay content helps the soil hold onto nutrients and water better than the sandier counties to the east.

Lower organic matter in the Triad

At 1.28%, organic matter in Forsyth is lower than both the national 2.0% and state 5.12% averages. The available water capacity of 0.131 in/in is nearly on par with the state average of 0.134 in/in.

Managed water in the landscape

Formal drainage class data is not available, but the 16.7% clay content provides a stable structure for land development. The soil profile generally offers enough drainage to prevent waterlogging in typical Piedmont weather.

Gardening success in Zone 7b

Hardiness zone 7b supports a wide variety of perennials and cool-season vegetables like kale and carrots. With a little compost to boost organic matter, your Forsyth garden will flourish.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Forsyth County

via LawnByCounty

Forsyth Offers Above-Average Lawn Conditions

Forsyth County earns a lawn difficulty score of 55.6, making it significantly easier to maintain than the state average of 40.8. Located in Hardiness Zone 7b, the county provides a more hospitable environment for turf than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a favorable balance of climate and soil factors for local homeowners.

Manageable Heat and Moderate Growth

The county experiences 33 extreme heat days annually, which is lower than the state average of 38. With 45.2 inches of annual precipitation and 4,280 growing degree days, the climate supports steady turf development without the extreme pressures seen in coastal areas. This moderate profile allows for a more flexible watering and mowing routine.

Sandy Loam Needs a pH Boost

Your soil foundation consists of 58.7% sand and 16.7% clay, providing a structure that generally facilitates good root penetration. However, the average pH of 5.48 is acidic and requires amendments to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 threshold for nutrient uptake. Regular soil testing is recommended to determine the exact lime requirements for your specific site.

Managing Severe Drought Stress

Despite the favorable difficulty score, Forsyth is currently 100% covered by severe drought conditions after 22 weeks of drought this past year. Conservation is key; homeowners should adjust mower heights higher to shade the soil and retain moisture. Efficient irrigation systems can help navigate these periods of significant water deficit.

Targeting the Spring Growth Window

Zone 7b is ideal for Tall Fescue or heat-tolerant cool-season blends. Plan your major lawn work around the average last spring frost of April 6 to ensure young sprouts aren't damaged by late freezes. You have a generous window to establish roots before the first fall frost typically hits on October 31.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Forsyth County's county score?
Forsyth County, North Carolina has a composite county score of 34 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Forsyth County rank among counties in North Carolina?
Forsyth County ranks #90 among all counties in North Carolina on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Forsyth County, North Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Forsyth County is $1,984, with an effective tax rate of 0.79%. This earns Forsyth County a tax score of 51.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Forsyth County?
The median household income in Forsyth County, North Carolina is $67,165 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Forsyth County earns an income score of 54.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Forsyth County, North Carolina a good place to live?
Forsyth County scores 34/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #90 in North Carolina. The best way to evaluate Forsyth County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Forsyth County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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