Forsyth County Snapshot
Visit Forsyth County Georgia Real Estate
Reported January 14, 2008, Forsyth County has been named as the most prosperous county in Georgia for the
second consecutive year, according to a report issued by the state’s Department of Community Affairs. Top Ranked by County, Highest being the best, Forsyth 159, Gwinnett 149, Fulton 118.
Published on: 01/24/08 in The Atlanta Journal Constitution:
Forsyth County made the Forbes’ list of the country’s wealthiest counties, rubbing elbows with some of the posh suburbs of Washington, D.C. and New York City.
The rankings, based on data from the 2006 census, put the North Atlanta suburb at No. 13 in the nation in median annual income.
Forsyth County was created in 1832 from parts of the original Cherokee Country. It was named for John Forsyth, Governor of Georgia from 1827-1829 and Secretary of State under Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.
Cumming was established in 1834. The city is named for Colonel William Cumming of Augusta, a prominent lawyer.
Several Indian archaeological sites are located within Forsyth County. An Indian mound and village are located on Settendown Creek near the mouth of the Etowah River. Another Indian village is located near Sawnee Mountain on Big Creek.
Two places of historic note in Forsyth County are Pool’s Mill Covered Bridge and the Settles Home. One of the few remaining covered bridges in the country, Pool’s Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Settles Home is considered to be the oldest home in the county and is under consideration to be listed as a historic landmark.
Much of the eastern side of the county lies on the shores of Lake Sidney Lanier, one of the busiest recreational bodies of water in the nation with 200 miles of shoreline. Created in the 1950s with the impoundment of the Chattahoochee River at Buford Dam, the lake has accelerated the growth of the county, as well as provided recreational enjoyment for many throughout north Georgia. The lake is home to Southern Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons, both endangered species.
Among the many things to do in Forsyth County are recreation activities on Lake Lanier. Built by the Army Corps of Engineers following World War II the lake is named for Sidney Clopton Lanier, a poet and musician who fought in the Civil War and wrote glowingly of the area in and around Forsyth County. The lake was built for flood control and has done its job fantastically, but with the droves of people each year who use the lake for recreation, camping, hiking and fishing, area residents have taken full advantage of the side benefits of Lake Lanier.
Another reason to love Forsyth County is the quality of education. Forsyth County Schools consistently post test scores well above the state average in all areas. In addition, Forsyth County offers several schools of excellence. Atlanta and the surrounding area are known for a myriad of top-notch institutions of higher learning such as Georgia Tech and Emory.
Many new Forsyth County residents chose their new home and community in the county to take advantage of the low real property taxes. Forsyth County offers one of the lowest real property tax rates in Metropolitan Atlanta and is nearly one-half the real property tax rate of its neighboring counties of North Fulton and Gwinnett.
This metro-Atlanta country ballooned 123% from 1990 to 2000, from 44,000 people to 98,000. Just northeast of Atlanta, its proximity makes it ideal for commuters, especially those in the high-tech industries on Atlanta’s north side.
It has both rural, upscale living and a low tax rate, as well as the fastest-growing school district in the state. Its gem is Lake Lanier, which brings in families for year-round fun, as well as feeding the county’s drinking water supply, recently categorized as the best drinking water in Georgia.
Forsyth County maintains rural charm and upscale living and working only 30 miles from downtown Atlanta. Proximity to Atlanta, accessibility to major highways, a wide selection of housing, the lowest tax rate in the metro Atlanta area these factors all have contributed to making Forsyth County one of the fasting growing counties in the United States. The county’s population has swelled to over 110,000 from nearly 80,000 in 1997.
The county was originally dominated by the poultry, horse and farming industries. Two industry giants, Tyson Foods and American Proteins Co., still play a major role in the area’s economy. The new wave of businesses in Forsyth County includes data processing, UPS research and development, Amoco performance products fiber optics, FOCAS; and high-tech printing, Scientific Games Inc. Many of the world’s top corporate names call Forsyth County home.
The county has about 22 privately developed business parks, including award winning Johns Creek/Technology Park, Windward Business Park, Bluegrass Business Park and The Meadows.
Forsyth County’s school district, one of the fastest growing in Georgia, has state pilot programs in arts and technology. The system also offers college course work to students via on-site classes and interactive two-way teleconferencing. Over 300 miles of Lake Lanier, beautiful residential areas, an excellent school system, a low tax rate, and professional business environment all have contributed to the county’s success.
Housing prices range from the modest $80s to the millions.
South Forsyth County Georgia is located 30 miles north of Atlanta in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and extends along most of the west side of Lake Lanier, a 37,000 acre Army Corp of Engineers Reservoir. Known as the Gateway to the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains, Atlanta’s Forsyth County’s natural beauty is the perfect setting for leisure time, fun and adventure.
The southern part of the county is known to feature rural charm, within easy reach of all that a modern metropolis has to offer. South Forsyth County has maintained its reputation for safe streets, beautiful homes and economic stability by carefully planning growth in order to remain a place where education is a priority, healthcare is second to none and the quality of life is unmatched.
Forsyth County has been ranked by the U.S. Census as the fastest growing county in Georgia.
Population: 140,393
Total Area: 225.8 Square Miles
Forsyth County Cities And Towns
Big Creek
Brookwood
Chestatee
Coal Mountain
Cumming
Drew
Ducktown
Heardville
Hightower
Matt
Oscarville
Pirkle Woods
Alpharetta – Forsyth County
Duluth – Forsyth County
Laurel Springs
Suwanee – Forsyth County
Forsyth County Animals Links
Forsyth County Humane Society
4440 Keith’s Bridge Road
Cumming, GA 30040
(770) 887-6480
Forsyth County Animal Control Shelter
107 East Main Street
Cumming, GA 30041
(770) 781-2138
Big Creek Greenway
Big Creek Greenway
Georgia Front Porch
Georgia Front Porch
Smart Growth-Forsyth
Smart Growth-Forsyth
Forsyth Maps & Parks
Forsyth Maps & Parks
LAKE LANIER INFORMATION
Nearly 8 million people visit Lake Lanier each year. “The Crown Jewel” of North Georgia is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and has been selected as the best lake in the corps’ 464-lake system for three of the past 11 years. With 39,000 acres of clean fresh water and 692 miles of picturesque shoreline, Lake Lanier is Georgia’s largest tourist attraction.
Water
Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department:
770-781-2160
Cumming Water Department:
770-781-2020
Electricity
Suwanee EMC:
770-887-2363
Cable
Comcast:
678-545-2289
Telephone
AT&T:
404-780-2355
Comcast:
678-545-2289
MCI Worldcom:
1-888-624-5622
SCANA Energy Related Division
(866) 245-7742
ACN Energy
(877) 226-5389
Coweta-Fayette EMC Natural Gas
(770) 502-0226 (inside metro Atlanta)
(877) 746-4362 (outside metro Atlanta)
Gas Key
(678) 904-0820 (inside metro Atlanta)
(877) 427-1539 (outside metro Atlanta)
Georgia Natural Gas Services
(770) 850-6200 (inside metro Atlanta)
(877) 850-6200 (outside metro Atlanta)
Infinite Energy Inc.
(877-483-4684)
SCANA Energy
(877) 467-2262
Shell Energy Services
(877) 677-4355
Southern Company Gas
(866) 762-6427
Vectren Source
(866) 200-5693
Walton EMC Natural Gas
(770) 267-2505
(866) 936-2427
ACN Energy:
1-800-348-6496
Energy America:
1-888-305-3828
GasKey:
1-877-427-1539
Georgia Natural Gas Services:
1-888-442-7489
Recycling
Forsyth County Recycling Centers:
770-205-3010
770-781-2176
