Forsyth County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.8 | 272,887 people · 158th most distressed in Georgia
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Forsyth County, GA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.8 — 2769th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Georgia, it ranks 158th of 159 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Forsyth County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 61.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 61.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 67
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 78
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 67
Homeownership Rate 3
Economic Vitality 49.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 89
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 4
House Price Change (YoY) 66
Legal Distress 37.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 37
Consumer Credit Distress 18.1
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 48
Subprime Credit Population 13
Structural Poverty 2.1
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 1

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Forsyth County
Forsyth County, GA 29.8 Healthy —
Gwinnett County, GA 68.5 Serious +38.7
Fulton County, GA 68.0 Serious +38.2
Hall County, GA 62.8 Elevated +33.0
Dawson County, GA 51.8 Elevated +22.0
Cherokee County, GA 47.3 Normal +17.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Forsyth County
San Mateo County, CA 29.7 Healthy -0.1
St. Charles County, MO 30.1 Healthy +0.4
Rockingham County, NH 30.7 Healthy +0.9
Douglas County, CO 28.6 Healthy -1.2
Chester County, PA 28.3 Healthy -1.4

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Forsyth County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Forsyth County

Find an Attorney

State Bar of Georgia Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of Georgia Lawyer Referral Service 404-527-8700

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Forsyth County residents at no cost.

Atlanta Legal Aid Society 404-524-5811
Georgia Legal Services Program 1-888-257-4567
Georgia Legal Aid
State Bar of Georgia Lawyer Referral Service 404-527-8700

Self-Help Resources

Georgia Legal Aid — Housing Self-help guides for Georgia foreclosure process, rights, and defenses
DCA Georgia HAF Resources Assistance programs and housing counselor referrals

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Forsyth County, Georgia?

    Forsyth County has a County Distress Index score of 29.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,769th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 158th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Forsyth County?

    The primary driver of distress in Forsyth County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 61.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Forsyth County compare to neighboring counties?

    Forsyth County (29.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Gwinnett County, GA (68.5); Fulton County, GA (68.0); Hall County, GA (62.8).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Forsyth County's score of 29.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Forsyth County's CDI score?

    Forsyth County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Forsyth County?

    Forsyth County, Georgia has a population of approximately 272,887 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.