Guilford County is a county located in the state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population is 421,048. Its county seat is Greensboro⁶.

History

The county was formed in 1771 from parts of Rowan County and Orange County. It was named for Francis North, 1st Earl of Guilford , father of Frederick North, Lord North, British Prime Minister from 1770 to 1782.

In 1779 the southern third of Guilford County became Randolph County. In 1785 the northern half of its remaining territory became Rockingham County.

Law and government

Guilford County is a member of the regional Piedmont Triad Council of Governments.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,703 km² (658 mi²). 1,682 km² (649 mi²) of it is land and 21 km² (8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.26% water.

Townships

The county is divided into eighteen townships: Bruce, Center Grove, Clay, Deep River, Fentress, Friendship, Gilmer, Greene, High Point, Jamestown, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Morehead, Oak Ridge, Rock Creek, Sumner, and Washington.

Adjacent Counties

• Rockingham County, North Carolina - north
• Alamance County, North Carolina - east
• Randolph County, North Carolina - south
• Davidson County, North Carolina - southwest
• Forsyth County, North Carolina - west

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 421,048 people, 168,667 households, and 109,802 families residing in the county. The population density is 250/km² (648/mi²). There are 180,391 housing units at an average density of 107/km² (278/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 64.53% White, 29.27% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 2.44% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.81% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. 3.80% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 168,667 households out of which 30.40% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.00% are married couples living together, 13.40% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% are non-families. 27.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.30% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.41 and the average family size is 2.96.

In the county the population is spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 11.00% from 18 to 24, 31.40% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $42,618, and the median income for a family is $52,638. Males have a median income of $35,940 versus $27,092 for females. The per capita income for the county is $23,340. 10.60% of the population and 7.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.80% of those under the age of 18 and 9.90% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• Archdale
• Forest Oaks
• Greensboro
• Jamestown
• McLeansville
• Oak Ridge
• Pleasant Garden
• Sedalia
• Stokesdale
• Summerfield
• Whitsett
• High Point

External links

• Guilford County government official website