City · North Carolina
Lowell, North Carolina
Lowell, city, in Gaston County, North Carolina. Lowell had 3,939 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,654 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,768 (±28). GEOID 3739480.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,939
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,654 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,768 ±28
Median household income
$52,500
±$14,253 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$200,600
±$76,219 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,188
±$866 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Lowell and what county is it in?
Lowell is a city in Gaston County, North Carolina. It covers 3.7 square miles of land, 994 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lowell is in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 11 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Lowell, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 3,939 people lived in Lowell on July 1, 2025, up 7.9% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 3,654 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,768 (±28).
| Measure | Lowell | Gaston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,768 ±28 | 234,881 | +128 |
| Households | 1,780 ±255 | 93,576 | +475 |
| Average household size | 2.11 ±0.30 | 2.48 | −0.64 |
| Housing units | 1,899 ±259 | 101,671 | +466 |
Lowell's population since 2000
From 2,662 in 2000 to 3,939 in 2025: up 48.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lowell as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Lowell?
The median resident of Lowell is 41.3 years old; 20.8% are under 18 and 16.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 70.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 13.5%. 6.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lowell | Gaston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.3 ±6.6 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.8% ±5.2 pts | 22.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.1% ±3.4 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Male | 49.7% ±5.6 pts | 48.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.0% ±8.2 pts | 9.9% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 70.5% ±10.2 pts | 66.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 13.5% ±6.1 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.9 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5% ±1.9 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.8% ±3.9 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.6% ±6.5 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.5% ±2.8 pts | 6.7% | – |
| With a disability | 15.1% ±3.8 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.9% ±2.7 pts | 10.7% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.1% ±4.9 pts | 88.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.0% ±5.8 pts | 26.5% | +11.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.6% ±3.5 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 93.7% ±4.9 pts | 89.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.4% ±3.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Lowell earn?
Half of Lowell's 1,780 households earn less than $52,500 a year (±$14,253), against $67,478 in Gaston County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $66,224 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lowell | Gaston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,500 ±$14,253 | $67,478 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $82,272 ±$20,434 | $91,074 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,931 ±$8,182 | $37,058 | +$10,688 |
| People below the poverty line | 17.4% ±10.0 pts | 13.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.4% ±20.6 pts | 18.4% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.1% ±9.3 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.5% ±2.4 pts | 94.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.7% ±5.6 pts | 89.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Lowell?
Owners occupy 73.1% of Lowell's occupied homes and renters 26.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $200,600 by its owner (±$76,219).
| Measure | Lowell | Gaston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $200,600 ±$76,219 | $266,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,188 ±$866 | $1,153 | – |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.0% ±21.4 pts | 40.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,175 ±$132 | $1,493 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.1% ±9.5 pts | 66.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 26.9% ±9.5 pts | 33.2% | – |
| Housing units | 1,899 ±259 | 101,671 | +466 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.2% ±2.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 88.9% ±4.7 pts | 73.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.9% ±3.3 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3% ±1.5 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.6% ±4.0 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.4% ±5.3 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.8% ±1.1 pts | 5.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Lowell work and get to work?
68.4% of Lowell's workers drive alone and 24.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.1 minutes.
| Measure | Lowell | Gaston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.9% ±8.9 pts | 62.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% ±4.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 68.4% ±9.9 pts | 76.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.9% ±5.4 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±2.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.5% ±1.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 24.4% ±9.8 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.1 min ±4.0 | 27.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Lowell?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Lowell, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $50,635 (Tract 313.04) to $52,844 (Tract 313.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 313.04Gaston County | 3,301 | $50,635 |
| Tract 313.03Gaston County | 1,756 | $52,844 |
| Tract 322.01Gaston County | 2,432 | $54,674 |
| Tract 313.01Gaston County | 4,759 | $73,778 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Lowell) · Census block assignment files
How does Lowell compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lowell is the 5,542nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 182nd-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Lowell ranks 301st of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 182nd | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 108th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 191st | 443 |
| Median household income | 301st | 434 |
| Per capita income | 133rd | 443 |
| Median home value | 296th | 438 |
| Poverty rate | 148th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 268th | 421 |
| Median age | 205th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 177th | 443 |
| Work from home | 49th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 291st | 439 |
Lowell's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Lowell with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Lowell?
19 of the 57 figures for Lowell on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Lowell are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Lowell.