Community Profile: Greensboro in Summary
Greensboro is a diverse, dynamic community strategically located at the center of North Carolina’s urban crescent, midway between Raleigh and Charlotte. Situated at the intersection of two interstates and a number of major highways, Greensboro’s Mid-Atlantic location is paramount to the city’s role as an East Coast hub for logistics and transportation operations. Other industries are growing in Greensboro as well including advanced manufacturing and advanced materials, life sciences, aviation, as well as financial services and data centers. Our well-trained, highly skilled workforce is a company’s greatest asset, supported by a wealth of higher education opportunities at area colleges and universities and focused training at Guilford Technical Community College.
Population 2009
Greensboro 257,997
Guilford County 492,400
Workforce and Education
| Guilford County | 2006 | 2009 | |
| Labor Force | 242,059 | 242,502 | |
| Employed | 230,798 | 215,925 | |
| Unemployed | 11,262 | 26,577 | |
| Unemployment Rate% | 4.7 | 11 | |
| Greensboro | 2006 | 2009 | |
| Labor Force | 126,679 | 126,677 | |
| Employed | 120,893 | 113,828 | |
| Unemployed | 5,787 | 12,849 | |
| Unemployment Rate% | 4.6 | 10.1 |
With eleven colleges and universities as well as outstanding community colleges, the Greensboro region has over 50,000 students, many of these well-educated, young professionals enter the labor force annually. In addition, Guilford County has strong public and private K-12 institutions.
Educational Attainment
High School Graduate 25.4%
Bachelor’s Degree 26.3%
Favorable Business Climate
Doing business in Greensboro is a competitive edge for companies. With lower construction costs than most major markets, very affordable utilities, and a lower cost of living, Greensboro is a vibrant place for business. A variety of workforce training assistance and opportunities for state and local incentives also make the city fertile ground for new business development.
Tax Information
Corporate Tax – The corporate income tax rate is 6.9%
Franchise Tax – The franchise tax rate is $1.50 per $1,000
Individual Income Tax – Depending on filing status and taxable income, the North Carolina tax rate ranges from 6 percent to 8.25 percent.
Inventory Tax – North Carolina has no inventory tax.
Real Estate & Property Tax – Per $100 value
Greensboro city rate .6325
Guilford County rate .7374
NC Sales Tax – 6.75%
Culture and Recreation Short List
Here is a sampling of what gives Greensboro such a rich quality of life:
- Wyndham Championship on the PGA tour
- The Greensboro Coliseum is a state-of-the-art, 23,000 seat sports and entertainment venue
- Greensboro Grasshoppers Baseball at NewBridge Bank Park
- 27 golf clubs and courses including two championship courses
- The city boasts 170 parks
- The NC Zoo is nation's largest and finest walk-through natural-habitat zoo
- The Eastern Music Festival is an internationally acclaimed month-long music festival
- The Greensboro Symphony Orchestra
- The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival
- The Greensboro Children’s Museum
- Greensboro Natural Science Center
Strategic Location and Infrastructure
Highways
Three major interstates – I-40, I-85 and future I-73/I-74 intersect in Greensboro. An urban loop is currently under construction and US 29, US 220, and NC 421 provide even more connectivity to the world. Greensboro has one of the largest concentrations of trucking companies on the East Coast, as well as excellent trailer availability. UPS maintains a large, regional sorting hub in Greensboro.
Air
There are almost 80 flights daily to most major U.S. cities out of the Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTIA). PTIA’s central location and state of the art facilities have made it a catalyst for commercial and industrial development as well. The 3,000-acre campus is home to more than 50 companies and has an estimated economic impact on the region in excess of $1 billion.
The FedEx Mid-Atlantic air hub opened in 2009 providing strategic overnight delivery services for companies.
Rail
Greensboro freight service is provided by Norfolk Southern and CSX. Amtrak passenger service is also available.
Ports
Wilmington, NC 203 Miles
Morehead City, NC 219 Miles
Charleston, SC 301 Miles
Norfolk, VA 247 Miles
Savannah, GA 346 Miles
Global Business Connections
The Piedmont Triad region is home to more than 170 foreign-owned firms. The U.S. Department of Commerce maintains an export office in Greensboro. There is a U.S. Customs Service Port of Entry office at PTIA and Foreign Trade Zone 230 providing companies a wide variety of import/export benefits.
Technology Infrastructure
- Excellent power reliability and dual feed capacity
- Low utility costs
- Sonet ring service
- Direct connectivity to the Tier 1 Internet backbone
Corporate Leaders
Greensboro is home to global companies that have chosen Greensboro for future growth.
| *Moses Cone Health System | Healthcare | |
| U.S. Postal Service | Mail processing/distribution | |
| American Express Credit Card Services | Financial Services | |
| *HondaAircraftCompany,Inc. | Aircraft manufacturer | |
| UPS | Package, freight & logistics | |
| *Lorillard | Tobacco products | |
| *RFMD | Microchips & integrated circuits | |
| Citi Cards | Credit card services | |
| *TIMCO Aviation Services | Aviation maintenance | |
| Tyco Electronics | Passive electronic components | |
| AT&T | Telecommunications | |
| *The Volvo Group | Corporate headquarters | |
| AIG United Guaranty | Financial Services | |
| *International Textile Group | Textile manufacturing | |
| *VF Corporation | Branded apparel | |
| Lincoln Financial Group | Financial Services | |
| Proctor & Gamble | Consumer products | |
| *SyngentaCropProtection,Inc. | Crop protection chemicals | |
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