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CITY · 2020 ACS

Gastonia

North Carolina · 80,411 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 $50,266. Population has grown 21% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $162,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
80,411
+21%since 2000
from 66,277 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,515 / sq mi
+21%since 2000
from 1,249 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.9
+9%since 2000
from 35.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
52K60K69K77K86K1990201020202024Gastonia
202483K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,266
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,924 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,312
+45%since 2000
from $19,592 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
33.4%
+11.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade14.9%
US avg: 10%
Information12%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services6%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$162,900
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $92,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$902
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $559 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
53.9%
−2.8 ptssince 2000
from 56.7% in 2000
46.1% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+30%since 2000
from 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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic50.8%(40,855)
Black30.3%(24,334)
Hispanic / Latino12.6%(10,171)
Asian1.7%(1,389)
Other4%(3,190)
Diversity Score78.5%(63,128)
Diversity Score
79
+34%since 2000
from 59 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.6%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 20.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.0%
+13.8 ptssince 2000
from 72.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.4%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.6 min
+73%since 2000
from 14.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.6%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 80.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.1%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.4%
−7.3 ptssince 2011
from 13.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2011
from 62.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.5%
−27.4 ptssince 2009
from 61.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.8% in 2009
Female
53.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 53.2% in 2009
Foreign born
6.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.7%
−71.7 ptssince 2013
from 81.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Gastonia to nearby cities

GASTONIA VS
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Income$94,883+89%
Home value$395,000+142%
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GASTONIA VS
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Income$49,564−1%
Home value$204,100+25%
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GASTONIA VS
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Income$79,385+58%
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GASTONIA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Gastonia, North Carolina?

Gastonia, North Carolina has about 80,411 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Gastonia, North Carolina earns about $50,266 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 $162,900, and the typical rent is about $902 a month.

How educated are people in Gastonia, North Carolina?

About 25.6% 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 15.2% of people in Gastonia, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gastonia, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Gastonia, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 25,679 residents, a change of about 47 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →