As of the census 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. There were 133,093 housing units at an average density of 325 per square mile. 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. There were 123,851 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.90% were married couplesliving 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.
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. The Forsyth County Department of Public Health is located at 799 North Highland Avenue in Downtown Winston-Salem.
Politics
Like most major urban counties, Forsyth has seen a trend towards the Democratic Party in recent elections after having voted Republican at every election between 1980 and 2004.
