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Forsyth County, GA

RANK #711 / 996  ·  POP 253,225  ·  GA

PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.1%

Forsyth County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Forsyth County?

Forsyth County, Georgia, is often recognized for Lake Lanier, a major recreational lake with over 690 miles of shoreline that offers extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. Located about 40 miles north of Atlanta, the county provides a suburban and exurban feel, blending natural scenery with developed areas. Commuting to Atlanta is common, with GA-400 serving as a primary route, though local public transportation options like Access Forsyth offer reservation-based bus services within the county. The community is characterized by its strong emphasis on family and outdoor activities, with numerous parks and trails, including the Sawnee Mountain Preserve.

Life in Forsyth County is often described as family-friendly, with a focus on quality education. The Forsyth County Schools district is one of Georgia's largest and consistently ranks highly in the state. The county has experienced rapid population growth, attracting families and professionals. The local economy is diverse, with significant employment in professional, scientific, and technical services, as well as healthcare, anchored by Northside Hospital Forsyth. Recent economic developments include substantial investment in data centers, a sector that is expanding in the region.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
9.1x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+5.3%

Well above national median

Home Prices
-2.2%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
1.0

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
17x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks overvalued at 9.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Forsyth County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
253,225
+3.04% YoY
Median Household Income
$131,660
Median Home Value
$451,100
-2.17% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,779
Average Annual Pay
$64,971
+4.4% YoY
Employment
88,777
+4.4% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2919
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
5.01%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$599,950
Days on Market
76
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.9
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.5%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
7.9%
Listings w/ Price Drops
24.4%
Building Permits (2024)
2,525
Single-Family Permits
1,692

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$21,100M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Forsyth Technology Campus
Trammell Crow Company
$21,000M Proposed
Meridian 75 Logistics Center
Brookfield Logistics Properties
$50M Planned
LogistiCenter at South Forsyth
Dermody Properties
$50M Operating

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +5.3% 85 percentile
Population Growth +3.0% 96 percentile
Income Growth +8.8% 58 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.8% 76 percentile
Home Price Change -2.2% 14 percentile
Rent Growth +1.4% 26 percentile
Price/Rent 17x 18 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Forsyth County, GA a good place to move to?

Forsyth County has a Boom Town Index score of 29/100, ranking #711 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.4% and a median household income of $131,660, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Forsyth County affordable?

The median home value in Forsyth County is $451,100 with median rent at $1,779/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2919, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Forsyth County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +3.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.4%. Home values changed -2.2% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Forsyth County?

Yes — 5.01% of Forsyth County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Douglas County, OR 39 Lauderdale County, AL 39 Walton County, GA 39 Coffee County, TN 39 Alexandria city, VA 39 Clarke County, GA 39 Yuma County, AZ 39 Sumter County, SC 39