COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Gaston County

North Carolina · 190,365 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 $39,482. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $86,600.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $42,589

Mid-age

median age 36.2

US median: 35.2

Less educated

14% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 24%

Stable housing

home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted

US median home: $120,530

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

190,365

+9%since 1990

from 175,093 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

535 / sq mi

+9%since 1990

from 492 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

36.2

+8%since 1990

from 33.6 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

2024235K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$39,482

+7%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $28,126 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$19,225

+54%since 1990

from $12,447 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

10.9%

+0.3 ptssince 1990

from 10.6% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$86,600

+14%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $57,500 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$535

+13%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $360 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

68.8%

−0.5 ptssince 1990

from 69.3% in 1990

31.2% rent

Afford Score

2.2

+7%since 1990

from 2.0 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Gaston County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic86.3%(151,081)

Black12.9%(22,502)

Hispanic / Latino0.5%(962)

Asian0.5%(813)

Diversity Score30.9%(54,100)

2000

White, non-Hispanic81.4%(154,922)

Black13.6%(25,843)

Hispanic / Latino3%(5,719)

Asian0.9%(1,802)

Diversity Score37.9%(72,135)

Diversity Score

+23%since 1990

from 31 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

14.2%

+3.3 ptssince 1990

from 10.8% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

71.4%

+10.5 ptssince 1990

from 60.9% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

3.8%

+0.9 ptssince 1990

from 2.9% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

16.0 min

−11%since 1990

from 18.0 min in 1990

US average: 17.6

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

Head to head

Compare Gaston County to nearby counties

GASTON COUNTY VS

Lincoln County

Income$80,016+103%

Home value$321,000+271%

Population98,654−60%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

GASTON COUNTY VS

Mecklenburg County

Income$87,005+120%

Home value$406,800+370%

Population1,233,383+400%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

GASTON COUNTY VS

Cleveland County

Income$58,534+48%

Home value$200,000+131%

Population103,325−58%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

GASTON COUNTY VS

York County

Income$89,095+126%

Home value$361,300+317%

Population306,887+24%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Gaston County, North Carolina?

Gaston County, North Carolina has about 190,365 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Gaston County, North Carolina earns about $39,482 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 $86,600, and the typical rent is about $535 a month.

How educated are people in Gaston County, North Carolina?

About 14.2% 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 10.9% of people in Gaston County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gaston County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Gaston County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 15,272 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

How we source and harmonize this data →