Greensboro Facts

Official Beginnings

Greensboro: 1808
Guilford County: 1771

Area

Greensboro: 133.9 square miles
Guilford County: 658 square miles

Population

Greensboro: 287,019 (2016)
Guilford County: 521,330 (2016)
Greensboro Metropolitan Statistical Area: 730,966 (2012)

Elevation

897 feet

Average Yearly Temperature

Maximum: 69.3 deg F
Minimum: 48.8 deg F

Average Yearly Rainfall

42.36 inches

Average Yearly Snowfall

6 inches

Government

Council/Manager Form – City Council comprises an elected mayor and eight elected council members (nonpartisan).

Tax Rates

Guilford County Sales Tax is 6.75%
Greensboro Hotel/Motel Room Tax is 6%

Laws

Alcohol Laws – The legal drinking age in North Carolina is 21 years of age. Alcoholic beverages may be served until 2 am standard or daylight time. No alcoholic beverages may be purchased before 12 noon on Sunday. All alcoholic beverages are sold in state-controlled “ABC” stores, except for beer and wine which may be purchased in wine specialty shops or convenience and grocery stores.

Speed Limits – The citywide speed limit is 35 mph unless otherwise posted. School zone speed limits are 20 mph or as posted. Statewide speed limit is 55 mph except where posted on certain sections of interstate highways.

North Carolina Safe Road Laws

North Carolina law requires that:

  • Drivers may turn right on red unless otherwise posted.
  • The state requires seat belts for all front seat drivers and passengers. Motorists will be fined $25 for failure to obey seat belt laws.
  • Children under the age of 8 and weighing less than 80 pounds must ride in a child-restraint device meeting Federal standards.
  • If the vehicle is equipped with an active passenger-side front air bag, and the vehicle has a rear seat, then a child less than five years old and less than 40 lbs. in weight must be properly secured in the rear seat unless the child restraint system is designed for use with a front air bag system.
  • Children less than age 16 are prohibited from riding in the open bed of a pick-up truck.
  • Children up to age 16 must wear an age appropriate restraint device regardless of where they sit in the car. Motorists will be fined $25 for failure to obey seat belt laws.
  • North Carolina law also requires drivers to use headlights whenever windshield wipers are used for inclement weather and motorcyclists are required to wear helmets and use headlights at all times.
  • If they can safely do so, motorists must move over to one lane away from any law enforcement or other emergency vehicle that is on the side of the highway.

Commerce According to Employment and Wages

Guilford County – 2011

  • Services: 39%
  • Manufacturing: 15%
  • Construction: 4%
  • Retail Trade: 11%
  • Transportation & Warehousing: 4%
  • Financial Activities: 8%
  • Government: 14%
  • Wholesale Trade: 4%
  • Other: 1%