forsyth county

THE FACTS

  • Population: 123,811
  • Property tax per $1,000: $24.23
  • Average cost of resale homes: $209,000
  • Average cost of new homes: $238,000
  • Tax Commissioner: 770-781-2110
  • One the web at: forsythchamber.org
  • forsythco.org

Forsyth County has it all - it combines rural charm and upscale living only 30 miles from downtown Atlanta. Its proximity to Atlanta, an accessibility to major highways, a wide selection of housing and the lowest tax rate in the metro Atlanta area have all contributed to making Forsyth County one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. Since 1997, the county's population has swelled to over 115,000 from only 80,000 less than a decade ago.

With 300 miles of Lake Lanier to offer residents and tourists, the county also has outdoor beauty as a draw.

The development of Lake Lanier by the Corps of Engineers in the late 1950s changed the face of Forsyth forever. Named
for the 19th-century poet Sidney Clopton Lanier, the lake is on of the most heavily visited in the United States. It provides numerous recreational activities as well as improved flood control and hydroelectric power. Besides Lake Lanier, nothing has affected the growth of Forsyth County as much as Georgia 400 expressway.

The county was originally dominated by the poultry, horse and farming industries, and two industry giants, Tyson Foods and American Proteins Co., still play a major role in the area's economy. But the new wave of businesses in Forsyth County includes fiber optics, FOCAS; and high-tech printing, Scientific Games, Inc. Many of the world's top corporate names call Forsyth home.

The county has worked with this business interest, providing 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 is keeping pace as one of the fastest growing in Georgia, with 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. Beautiful residential areas, an excellent school system, a low tax rate, and a professional business environment all have contributed to the county's success. Housing prices range from the modest $100s to the millions.

Education
Public Schools
forsyth.k12.ga.us
Board of Education
Superintendent's Office
770-887-2461
Elementary schools 14
Middle schools 6
High schools 5
Alternative 1
Pupil/teacher ratio 25:1
Per-pupil expenditures $7,500
School and bus assignment information: 770-888-1234

Avg. SAT Scores
 
Verbal
Math
Forsyth County 522 515
Georgia 497 496
National 508 520

 

NRT (Norm Referenced Test) Scores
 
Reading
Math
Language
Social Studies
Science
Forsyth
 
 
 
 
 
3rd Grade
65%
57%
 
 
 
8th Grade
61%
57%
68%
59%
60%
Georgia
 
 
 
 
 
3rd Grade
45%
42%
 
 
 
8th Grade
48%
42%
53%
47%
46%

Private Schools
Cornerstone Schools Pinecrest Academy Sharon Christian Academy The Westbrook Centre
5040 Shady Grove Road (Catholic) 955 Peachtree Pkwy 3149 Old Atlanta Rd. 1059 Dee Kennedy Rd.
Cumming, GA 30041 Cumming, GA 30041 Suwanee, GA 30024 Auburn, GA 30011
Grades: PreK-5 770-888-4477 770-887-4802 678-963-0075
770-205-6860 pinecrestacademy.org sharonchristianacademy.org Enrollment: 65
Enrollment: 780 Grades: K4 - 12th Grades: K5 - 8th
Grades: PreK - 12th

Colleges & Universities
Gainesville College Lanier Technical College
3820 Mundy Mill Rd. 7745 Majors Road
Oakwood, GA 30566 Cumming, GA 30041
770-718-3639 * gc.peachtree.edu 770-531-6300/770-781-6800
Enrollment: 105 laniertech.edy
Enrollment: 2,850

Medical
Emergency: 911 Northside Hospital, Forsyth*
Poison: 1-800-282-5846 1200 Northside Forsyth Dr.
Fire: 404-616-9000 Cumming, GA 30041
Forsyth County: 911 770-844-3200
City of Cumming *denotes emergency services
Police: 770-781-2000
Forsyth County
Sheriff: 770-781-2222

Utilities
Electricity
Georgia Power Company Sawnee EMC
1-888-660-5890 770-887-2363 * sawnee.com
Deposit: based on credit Deposit: three times the average estimated bill, or letter of credit from
Establishment fee: $22 former utility co.
Membership fee: $5
Service fee: $25

Gas
For information on establishing your gas connection and the deregulation of the natural gas market in Georgia with a listing of the
residential gas providers, see our utility connection guide.

Telephone
BellSouth Telephone 1-888-757-6500
Outside Georgia: 1-800-356-3094

Water
City Water Dept - Cumming
770-784-2020

Forsyth County Water
770-781-2160
Homeowners deposit: $50
Renters deposit: $100

Cable
Adelphia 1-888-683-1000

Garbage
Robertson Sanitation 770-944-4974

Parks
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation Central Park Sharon Springs Park Bennett Park
2300 Keith Bridge Road 1950 Sharon Road 5930 Burruss Mill Road
Cumming, GA 30040 Cumming, GA 30041 Cumming, GA 30041
770-781-2215 770-205-4646 770-781-2150

Coal Mountain Midway Sawnee Mountain Park
3560 Setting Down Road 5100 Post Rd./Hwy 371 3995 Watson Road
Cumming, GA 30040 Cumming, GA 30040 Cumming, GA 30040
770-781-2152 770-886-4085

City of Cumming Parks & Recreation
770-781-2030
City Park
410 Pilgrim Mill Rd.

Libraries
Forsyth County Public Library Sharon Forks Branch
585 Dahlonega Road 2820 Old Atlanta Road
Cumming, GA 30040 Cumming, GA 30041
770-781-9840 770-781-9840

Post Office
usps.gov
Cumming 30040
525 Tribble Gap Rd.
770-886-2388

Newspaper
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Forsyth County News
Daily Four days a week
404-522-4141 770-887-3126 * forsythnews.com

 

 

Car Tag & License
License Tag Location Driver's License Location
110 E. Main Street, Ste. 130 Georgia State Patrol Post
Cumming, GA 30040 4055 County Way Road
770-781-2112 Cumming, GA 30040
Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. 770-205-5401
1950 Sharon Road Tues. - Sat., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cumming, GA 30040
770-781-2112
Mon. - Fri., 8:30a.m. - 4:45 p.m.