Guilford County land and farms are popular investments for developers, home buyers and companies wanting to relocate closer to major transportation corridors and airports. Land in Guilford County in the Piedmont region encompasses 658 square miles and is bordered by Rockingham, Alamance, Randolph, Davidson and Forsyth counties. With a population of 537,174, it is the third most populous in the state. Greensboro and High Point are the major urban centers and are surrounded by areas that include farms. After losing much of its furniture and textile manufacturing, High Point still holds a high place in the industry but is diversifying its offerings. The area draws many visitors by hosting such varied events as the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic Golf Tournament and the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southern Conference basketball tournaments. Farm acreage includes 76,000 acres, and 63% of agricultural sales is for crops. Companies including United Parcel Service, Wal-Mart and Harris Teeter are among the largest private employers. Almost a dozen colleges make the area ripe for research, education and innovation. Hunters can bag turkeys, deer, bear, ducks and doves. Fishermen cast their lines for largemouth bass, bream, crappie and catfish. Guilford County Schools provides K-12 education, and 11 colleges including UNC-Greensboro and High Point University offer higher learning.
