50 of 100
BACK NEXT
50. Greensboro, N.C.
Population: 231,720
Pros: Family-friendly, actively encouraging development of new industries
Con: Economy has suffered from the decline of major industries

Greensboro's economy has taken a hit because of the decline in the tobacco, textiles, manufacturing and furniture industries. However, the city is capitalizing on the growth in its new target sectors: advanced manufacturing, aviation, financial services and data centers, life sciences, and transportation and logistics. Greensboro's infrastructure works well for companies in these fields. No inventory tax and low rates for utilities like power and water are attractive to manufacturing firms, while biotech startups receive support from a government-funded organization dedicated to developing this sector, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.

As proud as Greensboro is of where it stands now, it has not forgotten where it came from. Historical landmarks and reenactments commemorate the area's Civil War history throughout the city. The kid-friendly town is also home to a zoo, planetarium, children's museum and large water park. A new minor-league baseball park appeals to resident sports fans, as does the PGA's Wyndham Championship gold tournament, which is scheduled to tee off at Greensboro's Sedgefield Country Club this summer. For patrons of the arts, Greensboro offers its own symphony, opera, ballet companies and a collection of art galleries. -Brandi Stewart

Interactive map: Greensboro, N.C.
Homes for sale Find homes for sale in Greensboro, N.C.


NEXT: 51. Doral, Fla.

Last updated July 02 2008: 11:16 AM ET
More Galleries
5 startups that are reimagining the world Bricks that grow from microorganisms, household garbage turned into art, three-wheeled bike-cars -- these startups are redefining urban living. More
Blue collar entrepreneurs These five entrepreneurs took their blue collar experience and used it to launch innovative businesses. More
7 lifehacks to eliminate your holiday hassle Whether curating the perfect gift or finding a pet-sitter, these startups offer time-saving services that might just seem like holiday magic. More

Special Offer

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.