If you’ve been following conversations about housing in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, you know things are tough for those seeking decent affordable homes. The latest presentation from Innovative Research Insights, “Current State – the Data,” lays out the reality with sharp clarity. Using fresh data from local, state, and national sources, IRI reveals just how acute the crisis has become and points to the urgent need for multi-pronged solutions.
Staggering Numbers & Surging Need
The statistics are sobering: As of 2024, 443 families with children in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are experiencing homelessness, and more than 1,500 individuals have been assisted by the Continuum of Care. Over 25,000 renter households and 17,800 owner households are cost-burdened, with more than 10,500 eviction filings last year alone. These numbers are set against a backdrop of explosive growth, Forsyth County’s population (indeed the entire Piedmont Triad) has jumped by 30% since 2000, fueled by in-migration, new jobs, and a growing retiree population.
The Cost of Living & the Cost of Housing
IRI highlights that Forsyth County families now needs to earn $80,000–$100,000 annually (130–150% of the area median income) to meet basic needs, a reality out of reach for most. While median household income has risen 40% since 2010, rents are up 93%, and home prices have soared by 87% or more. The current median home sale price is $312,500, while average rents hover around $1,290/month. For many families, wages simply can’t keep pace.
A Market Under Pressure
The housing crunch isn’t just about price. Nearly two-thirds of Forsyth’s housing stock is single-family homes, and new construction hasn’t kept up with demand. There are over 25,000 vacant lots and 3,200 vacant structures, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for creative redevelopment. Meanwhile, “rental market compression” means higher-income households are renting units typically affordable to lower-income renters, pushing the most vulnerable residents further down the housing ladder.
The Path Forward
What will it take to move Forsyth County from crisis to stability? IRI calls for a strategic mix of solutions: preserving and rehabilitating existing homes, building more affordable and “missing middle” units, expanding assistance for homebuyers, and fostering new partnerships between public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Innovative Research Insights 