Forsyth, Georgia

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 . 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 mi to downtown Macon and northwest 61 mi to Atlanta. US 41 runs through the downtown area from east to west, leading southeast to Macon and west 13 mi 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 sqmi, of which 0.004 sqmi, 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

|align-fn=center 1850-1870 1870-1880 1890-1910 1920-1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

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.

In November 2011, Forsyth elected John T. Howard, II. Howard, the first African-American elected to the seat, took office in 2012. 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

• G. Holmes Braddock, politician
• 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

References

References

1. "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
2. "P1. Race – Forsyth city, Georgia: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau.
3. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. (2007-10-25). "US Board on Geographic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
6. [http://georgia.gov/cities-counties/forsyth Forsyth] {{Webarchive. link. (December 7, 2013 Georgia.gov)
7. Krakow, Kenneth K.. (1975). "Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins". Winship Press.
8. Hellmann, Paul T.. (May 13, 2013). "Historical Gazetteer of the United States". Routledge.
9. (2011-02-12). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
10. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". [[United States Census Bureau]].
11. (1870). "1870 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties". [[United States Census Bureau]].
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24. Morgan, Carly. [https://archive.today/20120717131150/http://www.13wmaz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=71763&catid=153 Forsyth Prepares for Dept. of Corrections Arrival]. ''[[WMAZ]]''. November 2009. Retrieved on December 7, 2009.
25. "|| Georgia Department of Corrections || - Tift College Relocation".
26. [http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/GDC/FacilityMap/html/burrus_corr_trn_cntr.html Burris Correctional Training Center] {{webarchive. link. (2012-04-19)
27. McCrummen, Stephanie. (2018-10-07). "'We are here!' From a blue dot in a sea of red comes a hopeful pitch for a politician's visit.". Washington Post.
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29. [http://www.school-stats.com/GA/MONROE/MONROE_COUNTY.html School Stats], Retrieved June 24, 2010.
30. Cohen, Howard. (July 24, 2025). "'He shaped the futures of millions of students.' G. Holmes Braddock dies at 100". [[Miami Herald]].