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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Gastonia

North Carolina · 54,732 residents · 53.067 sq mi
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The short version

Gastonia has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $25,910. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 11,545 residents. Median home value is $59,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 34.0
US median: 33.0
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 15%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
54,732
−17%vs 2000
vs 66,277 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,031 / sq mi
−17%vs 2000
vs 1,249 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
34.0
−4%vs 2000
vs 35.6 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
52K60K69K77K86K1990201020202024Gastonia
202483K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$25,910
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $36,924 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$12,684
−35%vs 2000
vs $19,592 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
14.2%
−0.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 15.0% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$59,300
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $92,100 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$378
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $559 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
58.2%
+1.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 56.7% in 2000
41.8% rent
Afford Score
2.3
−8%vs 2000
vs 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gastonia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic67.3%(44,615)
Black24.9%(16,520)
Hispanic / Latino5.5%(3,613)
Asian1.2%(765)
Other0%
Diversity Score58.7%(38,893)
1990
White, non-Hispanic74%(40,513)
Black24.9%(13,601)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(228)
Asian0.6%(320)
Other0.5%(298)
Diversity Score49.4%(27,045)
Diversity Score
49
−16%vs 2000
vs 59 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.0%
−4.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 20.2% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
62.4%
−9.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 72.2% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
4.6%
−1.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 5.7% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.8 min
+13%vs 2000
vs 14.8 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Gastonia

Homestead
Pop 86,242
Melbourne
Pop 87,097
Warner Robins
Pop 87,761
Largo
Pop 80,690
Places similar to Gastonia
Head to head

Compare Gastonia to nearby cities

GASTONIA VS
Belmont
Income$94,883+266%
Home value$395,000+566%
Population16,415−81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GASTONIA VS
Kings Mountain
Income$49,564+91%
Home value$204,100+244%
Population12,117−86%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GASTONIA VS
Mount Holly
Income$79,385+206%
Home value$337,800+470%
Population19,033−78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GASTONIA VS
Lake Wylie
Income$112,097+333%
Home value$485,600+719%
Population16,006−82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Gastonia, North Carolina?

Gastonia, North Carolina has about 54,732 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Gastonia, North Carolina earns about $25,910 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gastonia, North Carolina expensive?

In Gastonia, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $59,300, and the typical rent is about $378 a month.

How educated are people in Gastonia, North Carolina?

About 16.0% of adults age 25 and over in Gastonia, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gastonia, North Carolina?

About 14.2% of people in Gastonia, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →