# Forsyth, Georgia

Forsyth is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,384 at the 2020 census, up from 3,788 in 2010. Forsyth is part of the Macon metropolitan statistical area.
The Forsyth Commercial Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a tourist attraction. It includes the Monroe County Courthouse and Courthouse Square as well as the surrounding area, including several examples of 19th-century architecture. Forsyth is also home to the Confederate Cemetery, Tift College, and Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area.

## History

Forsyth was established in 1823. That same year, the seat of Monroe County was transferred to Forsyth from Johnstonville. Forsyth was named for John Forsyth, governor of Georgia from 1827 to 1829 and Secretary of State under presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.

## Geography

Forsyth is located in central Monroe County at 33°02′06″N 83°56′17″W﻿ / ﻿33.035108°N 83.938085°W﻿ / 33.035108; -83.938085. The city is located along Interstate 75 and U.S. Route 41 northwest of Macon. I-75 runs southeast to northwest through the eastern part of town, with access from exits 185 through 188. The interstate leads southeast 23 miles (37 km) to downtown Macon and northwest 61 miles (98 km) to Atlanta. US 41 runs through the downtown area from east to west, leading southeast to Macon and west 13 miles (21 km) to Barnesville. Other highways that run through the city include Georgia State Routes 18, 42, and 83.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Forsyth has a total area of 9.0 square miles (23 km$^2$), of which 0.004 square miles (2.6 acres), or 0.04%, are water. The city sits atop a ridge which drains southwest to tributaries of Tobesofkee Creek and northeast to tributaries of Rum Creek; both creeks are southeast-flowing tributaries of the Ocmulgee River.

## Demographics

Forsyth racial composition as of 2020 :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,914 | 43.66% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 2,144 | 48.91% |
| Native American | 3 | 0.07% |
| Asian | 50 | 1.14% |
| Other/Mixed | 157 | 3.58% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 116 | 2.65% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,384 people, 1,687 households, and 883 families residing in the city.

## Government

The Georgia Department of Corrections has moved into the former Tift College site in 2010. Burruss Correctional Training Center is located in Forsyth next to the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.
Forsyth's first African American mayor, John Howard, served from 2011 to 2015. City Councilman Eric Wilson became mayor in 2015.

## Monroe County School District

The Monroe County School District holds pre-school to grade twelve, and consists of three elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. The district has 225 full-time teachers and over 3,872 students.
* Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary School
* Katherine B. Sutton Elementary School
* T.G. Scott Elementary School
* Banks Stephens Middle School
* Mary Persons High School

### Higher education

* Tift College was located in Forsyth.

## Notable people

* Harold G. Clarke, jurist and legislator
* 7 Little Johnstons, reality TV personality family
* Eugene Talmadge, 67th governor of Georgia 1933–1937, 1941-1943
* Malik Herring, a defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs