Forsyth County has a growing population of retirees and wants to keep them as they age.
So the county is undergoing a demographics study to find out how its population will change over the next two decades, and is asking residents to fill out a survey on retirement housing preferences and plans.
Forsyth residents — as well as anyone considering moving here upon retirement — can fill out the 19-question survey online on the Forsyth County website at forsythco.com through Dec. 3. Paper surveys are available at the county's Senior Services locations, all public library branches and the County Administration Building.
Forsyth County has been cited in numerous studies as a great place to retire, with the county’s tax exemptions for residents 65 and older being a huge draw, said Ruthie Brew, director of senior services. Older adults are also moving into the county to live near their children and grandchildren.
“It’s a great place to live. The climate is good, cost of living is low, it’s a beautiful area with a lot to do,” she said.
The county operates three senior centers, two of which serve a younger population starting at age 50. This fall, seniors could swim in an indoor heated pool, participate in a hiking club and take a class in cyber security, among other activities.
And while the county population is still fairly young — medium age of 37.7 — 16 percent of all homes have someone living there who is 60 or older, Brew said.
Over the past few years, county commissioners have noticed an uptick in the market for senior housing. Commissioners have seen a steady flow of rezoning requests for senior-restricted communities and assisted living developments, said Tom Brown, director of planning and community development.
A county comprehensive development plan, adopted by commissioners in July, identified aging in place as an issue that needed more study.
“There was a natural curiosity of where we are and how we match up to the market,” Brown said.
The development plan identified senior housing and multi-generational housing as important to Forsyth’s future growth. And housing needs for retirees and empty-nesters were considered just as important as those for young professionals and high-paid executives.
“We have a lot of retirees here and we want to keep them, but we needed to know, what does this take?” said Forsyth County planning manager Nick Colonna.
The Forsyth County Demographics Study for Aging in Place will address resident housing preferences for seniors, the county’s current supply of housing, and future demand. It will also project population growth over the next two decades and the impact of generational changes on public revenues and service costs.
Brown said the results will help identify growth trends and will be useful as a planning tool. “We’ve seen a steady flow of rezonings, but we’re not sure where we are. The study will give us the advantage of digging a little deeper for answers,” he said.
The study’s initial demographic findings will be presented at a public informational meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 3-5 p.m. at the County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming. Attendees will have an opportunity to look at the results, ask questions and take the survey.
Brew is an advocate for more affordable housing options for seniors. She said the senior-restricted communities in Forsyth are nice but too expensive for many older adults.
Brew also said people call her department almost daily seeking help with the care of an elderly loved one. But there’s not much her staff can offer other than a home-delivered meal and a friendly visit. The waiting list for state-funded home care services is long.
“More money needs to be given to housing and community-based programs to get more services for people to be able to stay in their homes,” Brew said.
Forsyth County Demographics Study for Aging in Place
• Study will examine demographic trends, needs and housing preferences of residents to properly plan for a growing aging community.
• Citizen survey will provide insight on residents’ housing preferences and plans for staying in the county through their retirement years.
• Survey is available for resident participation through Dec. 3 and can be completed online on the Forsyth County website, forsythco.com. Paper copies of the survey are available at the county's Senior Service locations, county libraries and the County Administration Building.
• A public information meeting covering initial demographic findings is Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 3-5 p.m. at the County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming.
Source: Forsyth County Government
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