County · North Carolina
Gaston County, North Carolina
Gaston County, North Carolina. Gaston County had 246,558 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 8.2% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 17 places (15 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 85 census tracts. GEOID 37071.
Gaston County is one of the 11 counties of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
246,558
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 227,943 · ACS 2020-2024: 234,881
Median household income
$67,478
±$1,710 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$266,000
±$5,555 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,153
±$22 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Gaston County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 227,943 residents in Gaston County. The Census Bureau estimates 246,558 for July 1, 2025, up 8.2% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 234,881 over 356 square miles of land.
| Measure | Gaston County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 234,881 | 10,730,404 | +15,610 |
| Households | 93,576±663 | 4,282,345 | +9,841 |
| Average household size | 2.48±0.02 | 2.44 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 101,671±139 | 4,895,668 | +8,798 |
Gaston County's population since 2000
From 190,365 in 2000 to 246,558 in 2025: up 29.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Gaston County?
Gaston County holds 17 places: 15 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Gastonia with 87,067 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Gastonia | 80,411 | $64,059 |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Holly | 17,703 | $79,385 |
| Belmont | 15,010 | $94,883 |
| Cherryville | 6,078 | $70,625 |
| Dallas | 5,927 | $58,403 |
| Bessemer City | 5,428 | $60,300 |
| Cramerton | 5,296 | $82,160 |
| Ranlo | 4,511 | $78,033 |
| Stanley | 3,963 | $75,461 |
| Lowell | 3,654 | $52,500 |
| SpringdaleGEOID 3764050 | 1,203 | $55,096 |
| Kings Mountain | 11,142 | $49,564 |
| McAdenville | 890 | $112,083 |
| High Shoals | 595 | $53,333 |
| AlexisGEOID 3700880 | 589 | not published |
| DellviewGEOID 3716820 | 6 | not published |
| Spencer MountainGEOID 3763780 | 0 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Gaston County?
The median resident of Gaston County is 39.1 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 16.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 66.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 17.1%. 6.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Gaston County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1±0.3 | 39.1 | −1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 22.4%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.5%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.9% | 11.3% | +2.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 66.4%±0.2 pts | 60.0% | −6.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 17.1%±0.4 pts | 20.0% | +0.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.2%±0.4 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.4%±0.4 pts | 9.1% | +1.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.0%±0.5 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7%±0.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 14.5%±0.5 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.7%±0.8 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.3%±0.8 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.5%±0.7 pts | 35.7% | +5.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.4%±0.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7%±0.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Gaston County earn?
Half of Gaston County's 93,576 households earn less than $67,478 a year (±$1,710), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $65,024 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $2,454 after inflation. 13.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Gaston County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,478±$1,710 | $72,388 | +$2,454 |
| Mean household income | $91,074±$2,087 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,058±$808 | $41,385 | +$3,396 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.5%±1.1 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.4%±2.4 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.1%±1.0 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.0%±0.9 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 Gaston County?
Owners occupy 66.8% of Gaston County's occupied homes and renters 33.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $266,000 by its owner (±$5,555). The median renter pays $1,153 a month including utilities, and 40.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Gaston County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $266,000±$5,555 | $288,900 | +$88,534 |
| Median gross rent | $1,153±$22 | $1,228 | +$129 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.8%±2.6 pts | 39.6% | +3.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,493±$30 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.8%±1.1 pts | 66.6% | +1.5 pts |
| Housing units | 101,671±139 | 4,895,668 | +8,798 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.8%±1.0 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.4%±0.8 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.6%±0.6 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.8%±0.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.7%±0.6 pts | 4.9% | – |
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 many new homes is Gaston County building?
Builders took permits for 2,343 new housing units across Gaston County in 2025 (2,153 single-family), 9.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Gaston County get to work?
76.7% of Gaston County's workers drive alone and 12.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Gaston County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.6%±0.8 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±0.6 pts | 4.7% | −1.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.7%±1.2 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.7%±1.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.4%±0.8 pts | 16.3% | +9.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.0 min±0.5 | 25.1 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 are Gaston County's census tracts?
Gaston County is divided into 85 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $27,825 (Tract 315) to $158,850 (Tract 324.04).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Gaston County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 11th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 23rd of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 7th of 100 |
| Median household income | 30th of 100 |
| Median home value | 29th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 23rd of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 57th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38th of 100 |
| Median age | 80th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Gaston County 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' school search.