Forsyth County, North Carolina

Forsyth County, North Carolina

Flag
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Forsyth County
Location in the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded January 16, 1849
Named for Colonel Benjamin Forsyth
Seat Winston-Salem
Largest city Winston-Salem
Area
 • Total 413 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Land 408 sq mi (1,057 km2)
 • Water 4.5 sq mi (12 km2), 1.1%
Population (est.)
 • (2014) 365,298
 • Density 895.4/sq mi (346/km²)
Congressional districts 5th, 12th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.co.forsyth.nc.us

Forsyth County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 350,670,[1] making it the fourth-most populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Winston-Salem.[2]

Forsyth County is included in the Winston-Salem, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, NC Combined Statistical Area.

Parts of Forsyth County are in the Yadkin Valley wine region.

History

The county was formed in 1849 from Stokes County. It was named for Colonel Benjamin Forsyth, who was killed in the War of 1812.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 413 square miles (1,070 km2), of which 408 square miles (1,060 km2) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km2) (1.1%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
185011,168—
186012,69213.6%
187013,0502.8%
188018,07038.5%
189028,43457.4%
190035,26124.0%
191047,31134.2%
192077,26963.3%
1930111,68144.5%
1940126,47513.2%
1950146,13515.5%
1960189,42829.6%
1970214,34813.2%
1980243,68313.7%
1990265,8789.1%
2000306,06715.1%
2010350,67014.6%
Est. 2015369,019[5]5.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 306,067 people, 123,851 households, and 81,741 families residing in the county. The population density was 747 people per square mile (289/km²). There were 133,093 housing units at an average density of 325 per square mile (125/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.47% White, 25.61% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.25% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 6.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2005 62.9% of Forsyth county's population was non-Hispanic whites. 25.9% of the population was African-American. 9.5% was Latino. 1.3% was Asian and 1.1% reported two or more races. The decline in the last is due to changes in counting which basically excluded all Latinos from this category.

In 2000 there were 123,851 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.90% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.90% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,097, and the median income for a family was $52,032. Males had a median income of $36,158 versus $27,319 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,023. About 7.90% of families and 11.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.10% of those under age 18 and 9.70% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Forsyth County vote
by party in presidential elections
Year Republican Democratic
2012 45.8% 79,768 53.0% 92,323
2008 44.4% 73,674 54.8% 91,085
2004 54.1% 75,294 45.5% 63,340
2000 56.0% 67,700 43.4% 52,457
1996 52.8% 59,160 41.5% 46,543
1992 45.4% 52,787 42.1% 49,006
1988 59.0% 57,688 40.6% 39,726
1984 61.5% 59,208 38.3% 36,814
1980 50.0% 42,389 45.8% 38,870
1976 49.3% 38,886 50.2% 39,561
1972 67.7% 46,415 30.5% 20,928
1968 46.8% 31,623 30.0% 20,281
1964 48.9% 30,276 51.1% 31,615
1960 58.1% 33,374 41.9% 24,035
Forsyth County Public Safety Center

The Forsyth County Government Center is located at 201 North Chestnut Street in Downtown Winston-Salem.

Forsyth County is a member of the regional Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments.

The Forsyth County Public Library, founded in 1906, is free for residents of Forsyth and surrounding counties, while all others must pay a small yearly fee for a library card. The library runs Adult, Children's, and Hispanic Outreach programs. Its main "Central Library" is in downtown Winston-Salem, with locations all across the county.[11]

Communities

Map of Forsyth County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Cities

Towns

Villages

Census-designated place

Townships

Former township

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 128.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  5. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  8. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. ↑ "Locations". Forsyth County Public Library website. Forsyth County. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Middle Fork Township". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
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Coordinates: 36°08′N 80°16′W / 36.13°N 80.26°W / 36.13; -80.26

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