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CITY

Gaston

North Carolina · 959 residents (2025 est.) · 1.691 sq mi
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The short version

Gaston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,105. Population has declined 6% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $77,200. The poverty rate of 27.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 42% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
912
−6%since 2000
from 973 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
539 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 575 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.0
+15%since 2000
from 37.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:959 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7109021K1K1K1990201020202024Gaston
2024912
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,105
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,824 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,735
+109%since 2000
from $14,247 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
24.9%
+18.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.4%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 21.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.564
+38%since 2010
from 0.408 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade14.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade13%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services7.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction5.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food4.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$77,200
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$818
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $417 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.9%
−7.3 ptssince 2000
from 66.2% in 2000
41.1% rent
Vacancy rate
17.9%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.7%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 27.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.1%
+10.8 ptssince 2009
from 34.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.8
+9%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
43
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gaston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic65.9%(641)
Black31.4%(306)
Hispanic / Latino1%(10)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score56.1%(546)
2024
White, non-Hispanic36.5%(333)
Black58.4%(533)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(13)
Asian0.5%(5)
Other3.1%(28)
Diversity Score65.5%(597)
Diversity Score
65
+17%since 2000
from 56 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.1%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
83.2%
+27.3 ptssince 2000
from 55.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.6%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 1.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.6 min
+9%since 2000
from 17.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
62.2%
−16.5 ptssince 2009
from 78.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
17.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 19.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
14.0%
+14.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.2%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
17.5%
+7.8 ptssince 2011
from 9.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2011
from 55.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.4%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
27.1%
−13.5 ptssince 2009
from 40.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.2%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 53.6% in 2009
Female
53.8%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.1%
−45.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
23.5%
−8.0 ptssince 2012
from 31.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.3%
−65.5 ptssince 2013
from 75.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.5%
+35.5 ptssince 2017
from 50.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2016
from 99.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.2%
+1.9 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Gaston to nearby cities

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GASTON VS
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GASTON VS
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GASTON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Gaston, North Carolina?

Gaston, North Carolina has about 912 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Gaston, North Carolina?

The typical household in Gaston, North Carolina earns about $42,105 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gaston, North Carolina expensive?

In Gaston, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $77,200, and the typical rent is about $818 a month.

How educated are people in Gaston, North Carolina?

About 13.1% of adults age 25 and over in Gaston, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gaston, North Carolina?

About 27.4% of people in Gaston, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gaston, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Gaston, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 91 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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