Winston
RANK #354 / 996 NAT · #18 / 51 NC · POP 383,739
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
Forsyth County, North Carolina, is distinguished by its Moravian heritage, evident in historic towns like Old Salem, which preserves 18th-century daily life with restored buildings and costumed craftspeople. Located in the Piedmont Triad region, the county seat, Winston-Salem, is approximately an hour and a half drive from Charlotte. The area features rolling hills, creeks, and streams, with the Yadkin River forming its western border. Residents have access to parks like Tanglewood Park, offering extensive outdoor recreation, including trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Life in Forsyth County offers a blend of urban amenities and natural spaces, appealing to families and professionals. The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System is the fourth-largest public school system in North Carolina. Commute times average under 23 minutes, with options including personal vehicles and a county-sponsored microtransit program for employment-related travel. The economy, historically tied to manufacturing, is diversifying with growth in sectors such as biomedical research, healthcare, and technology. Recent economic development initiatives aim to attract higher-skilled jobs and strengthen the commercial tax base.
Well below national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (Natural Gas Pipeline)
Transcontinental Pipe Line Company (Transco)
|
$1,200M | Under Construction |
|
Rural Hall Data Center
Undisclosed (Proposed)
|
$750M | Proposed |
|
New Residential Construction (County-wide Portfolio)
Various Homebuilders
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Downtown Winston-Salem Mixed-Use Developments (Combined)
Various (Grubb Properties, Front Street Capital, Wexford Science & Technology)
|
$65M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 64/100, Forsyth County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $61,229 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NC.
Housing in Forsyth County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $205,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $969/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Forsyth County's population is growing — up +0.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.1%). Home values shifted +1.0% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.23% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Forsyth County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.