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COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Gaston County

North Carolina · 175,093 residents · 355.751 sq mi
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The short version

Gaston County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $28,126. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $57,500.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 33.6
US median: 33.0
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 13%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
175,093
−8%vs 2000
vs 190,365 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
492 / sq mi
−8%vs 2000
vs 535 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
33.6
−7%vs 2000
vs 36.2 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
169K187K205K223K241K1990201020202024Gaston County
2024235K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$28,126
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $39,482 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$12,447
−35%vs 2000
vs $19,225 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
10.6%
−0.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 10.9% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$57,500
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $86,600 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$360
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $535 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
69.3%
+0.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 68.8% in 2000
30.7% rent
Afford Score
2.0
−7%vs 2000
vs 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gaston County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.4%(154,922)
Black13.6%(25,843)
Hispanic / Latino3%(5,719)
Asian0.9%(1,802)
Other0%
Diversity Score37.9%(72,135)
1990
White, non-Hispanic86.3%(151,081)
Black12.9%(22,502)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(962)
Asian0.5%(813)
Other0.4%(697)
Diversity Score30.9%(54,100)
Diversity Score
31
−18%vs 2000
vs 38 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.8%
−3.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 14.2% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
60.9%
−10.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 71.4% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
2.9%
−0.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 3.8% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.0 min
+13%vs 2000
vs 16.0 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 Gaston County

Lafayette Parish
Pop 257,949
Tuscaloosa County
Pop 241,368
Yavapai County
Pop 252,552
St. Joseph County
Pop 272,861
Places similar to Gaston County
Head to head

Compare Gaston County to nearby counties

GASTON COUNTY VS
Lincoln County
Income$80,016+184%
Home value$321,000+458%
Population98,654−60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GASTON COUNTY VS
Mecklenburg County
Income$87,005+209%
Home value$406,800+607%
Population1,233,383+400%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GASTON COUNTY VS
Cleveland County
Income$58,534+108%
Home value$200,000+248%
Population103,325−58%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
GASTON COUNTY VS
York County
Income$89,095+217%
Home value$361,300+528%
Population306,887+24%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Gaston County, North Carolina?

Gaston County, North Carolina has about 175,093 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Gaston County, North Carolina earns about $28,126 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gaston County, North Carolina expensive?

In Gaston County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $57,500, and the typical rent is about $360 a month.

How educated are people in Gaston County, North Carolina?

About 10.8% of adults age 25 and over in Gaston County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gaston County, North Carolina?

About 10.6% of people in Gaston County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Keep going

Explore from here

85 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 309.02Census Tract 313.01Census Tract 325.06Census Tract 325.05Census Tract 304.01Census Tract 317.04Census Tract 328.02Census Tract 325.07Census Tract 326Census Tract 316Census Tract 308.02Census Tract 333.12Census Tract 327.04Census Tract 302.05Census Tract 323.01Census Tract 318Census Tract 329Census Tract 324.04Census Tract 333.03Census Tract 331
14 ZIP codes
ZIP 28054ZIP 28052ZIP 28056ZIP 28012ZIP 28120ZIP 28034ZIP 28164ZIP 28021ZIP 28016ZIP 28098ZIP 28032ZIP 28006ZIP 28101ZIP 28077
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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