Forsyth County, Georgia
Forsyth County is a county located in the U.S. State of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 98,407. The county's incredible growth is evident with a population of 123,811 according to the 2003 U.S. Census Estimate. The county's county seat is Cumming, Georgia6.
This county is a part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 641 km² (247 mi²). 585 km² (226 mi²) of it is land and 56 km² (22 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 8.72% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 98,407 people, 34,565 households, and 28,101 families residing in the county. The population density is 168/km² (436/mi²). There are 36,505 housing units at an average density of 62/km² (162/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 95.05% White, 0.70% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.27% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 5.57% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 34,565 households out of which 41.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.90% are married couples living together, 6.60% have a female householder with no husband present, and 18.70% are non-families. 14.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.83 and the average family size is 3.12.
In the county the population is spread out with 27.90% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 37.10% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 7.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 102.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 100.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $68,890, and the median income for a family is $74,003. Males have a median income of $50,862 versus $32,112 for females. The per capita income for the county is $29,114. 5.50% of the population and 3.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 5.60% are under the age of 18 and 10.20% are 65 or older.
Cities and towns
History
Forsyth county remains segregated, with very few black people daring to live within its borders. It has a racist past, most recently punctuated in January 17, 1987 by a march by civil rights activists from Atlanta to Cumming, and a violent counterdemonstration by the Ku Klux Klan and its sympathizers. A repeat demonstration occurred a week later, drawing appoximately 20,000 people. There was no violence, this time, owing to the presence of about 2,000 peace officers and national guardsmen. Forsyth county paid $670,000 for police overtime during the demonstration. There was considerable public outrage at the costs, particularly since most of the demonstrators on both sides were from outside the county.
The demonstration is thought to have been the largest civil rights demonstration in the U.S. since about 1970.
Forsyth county subsequently charged large fees for parade permits until the practice was overturned in Forsyth County, Georgia v. The Nationalist Movement, 60 LW 4597 (1992).