Piedmont Triad

Piedmont Triad is a metropolitan area in central North Carolina that brings together three main cities and their surrounding communities across the state's rolling upland terrain. The region sits between the mountains to the west and the coastal plain to the east, linking urban centers through a network of roads and smaller towns.

The region grew during the early 20th century around textile and tobacco factories that drew workers from surrounding rural areas and created new towns along rail lines. After these industries declined in the late decades of the century, the economy shifted toward services, healthcare, and higher education.

The area maintains eleven universities and colleges, including Wake Forest University and North Carolina A&T State University, educating over 63,000 students.

An international airport offers freight connections and passenger flights to several major hubs in the United States. Interstate highways cross the region and link the cities to each other and to neighboring states.

Several universities in the region operate joint research programs and allow students to take courses at other institutions within the area. This cooperation connects academic communities across city boundaries.

Location: North Carolina

Part of: Piedmont

GPS coordinates: 35.95569,-80.00532

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:40