Gaston County, NC

County

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2021 Population

226,097

1.79% 1-year growth

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

0% 1-year change

2021 Poverty Rate

13.1%

3.74% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$56,819

6.26% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$170,500

8.74% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

107,482

3.16% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Gaston County, NC had a population of 226k people with a median age of 40 and a median household income of $56,819. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Gaston County, NC grew from 222,119 to 226,097, a 1.79% increase and its median household income grew from $53,474 to $56,819, a 6.26% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Gaston County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (70.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (16.9%), White (Hispanic) (3.82%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.92%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (1.79%).

None of the households in Gaston County, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97% of the residents in Gaston County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Gaston County, NC are Gaston College (2,915 degrees awarded in 2021), Belmont Abbey College (331 degrees), and Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia (163 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Gaston County, NC was $170,500, and the homeownership rate was 65.7%.

Most people in Gaston County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Gaston County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Gaston County, NC borders Cleveland County, NC, Lincoln County, NC, Mecklenburg County, NC, and York County, SC.

United States North Carolina Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Population & Diversity

Gaston County, NC is home to a population of 226k people, from which 97% are citizens. As of 2021, 5.23% of Gaston County, NC residents were born outside of the country (11.8k people).

In 2021, there were 4.17 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (159k people) in Gaston County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 38.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 8.63k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97%

2021 Citizenship

97.1%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97% of Gaston County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Gaston County, NC was 97.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Gaston County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Gaston County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
159k ± 334
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
38.1k ± 724
White (Hispanic)
8.63k ± 869

7.66%

Hispanic Population

17.3k people

7.66% of the people in Gaston County, NC are hispanic (17.3k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Gaston County, NC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
219,250 ± 11,374 people
India
77,157 ± 6,794 people
Honduras
37,868 ± 4,769 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 219,250 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 77,157 and Honduras with 37,868.

Foreign-Born Population

5.23%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

11.8k people

5.3%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

11.8k people

As of 2021, 5.23% of Gaston County, NC residents (11.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Gaston County, NC was 5.3%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Gaston County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,410 ± 389
Gulf War (2001-)
2,596 ± 408
Gulf War (1990s)
2,127 ± 369

Gaston County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.7 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Gaston County, NC employs 107k people. The largest industries in Gaston County, NC are Manufacturing (16,729 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (13,832 people), and Retail Trade (13,668 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($74,618), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($64,500), and Finance & Insurance ($64,492).

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,490. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

107k

2021 Value

± 2,473

3.16%

1 Year growth

± 3.14%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Gaston County, NC grew at a rate of 3.16%, from 104k employees to 107k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Gaston County, NC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,673 people), Sales & Related Occupations (11,142 people), and Management Occupations (10,666 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Gaston County, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

107k

2021 Value

± 2,473

3.16%

1 Year growth

± 3.14%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Gaston County, NC grew at a rate of 3.16%, from 104k employees to 107k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Gaston County, NC, are Manufacturing (16,729 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (13,832 people), and Retail Trade (13,668 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Gaston County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Gaston County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$44,442

Median earning men ± $740

$32,528

Median earning women ± $826

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($71,186), Information ($57,460), and Public Administration ($57,396).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($52,352), Information ($46,696), and Public Administration ($45,417).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,504
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,231
Manufacturing
872
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$2.5M
Manufacturing
$1.43M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$368k
Wholesale Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Gaston County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 63.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.788%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (63.2%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.5%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.788%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Gaston County, NC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Gaston County, NC awarded 3,409 degrees. The student population of Gaston County, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 2,537 male students and 4,273 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Gaston County, NC are White (2,340 and 70.6%), followed by Black or African American (423 and 12.8%), Unknown (217 and 6.55%), and Hispanic or Latino (206 and 6.21%).

The largest universities in Gaston County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Gaston College (2,915 and 85.5%), Belmont Abbey College (331 and 9.71%), and Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia (163 and 4.78%).

The most popular majors in Gaston County, NC are Registered Nursing (485 and 14.2%), Biotechnology (372 and 10.9%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (371 and 10.9%).

The median tuition cost in Gaston County, NC for private four year colleges is $18,500.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Gaston County, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 98.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 23.5%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 6,810 (37.3% men and 62.7% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 6,810 students enrolled in Gaston County, NC, 37.3% men and 62.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 4,280 records, of which 61.3% were women and 38.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
39 degree-majors awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
352 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
71 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Gaston County, NC was General Business Administration & Management with 39 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Gaston County, NC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Gaston College
2,915 degrees awarded
Belmont Abbey College
331 degrees awarded
Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia
163 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Gaston College with 2,915 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,017 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Gaston County, NC, which is 0.425 times less than the 2,392 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,340 degrees mean that there were 5.53 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 423 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($18,500) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($430) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,460) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Measure

In 2021, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.756% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.13M), Some college (1.85M), and Bachelors Degree (1.58M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Gaston County, NC was $170,500 in 2021, which is 0.696 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $156,800 to $170,500, a 8.74% increase. The homeownership rate in Gaston County, NC is 65.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Gaston County, NC have an average commute time of 26.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Gaston County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Gaston County, NC is $56,819. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Gaston County, NC was Census Tract 333.03 with a value of $111,944, followed by Census Tract 325.07 and Census Tract 325.08, with respective values of $91,259 and $85,602.

In 2022, 15.4% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Gaston County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.437%.

Housing

Property

$170,500

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,903

$58,277

Median Property Taxes

±$1,703

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Gaston County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Gaston County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

65.7%

Homeownership

2021

63.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 65.7% of the housing units in Gaston County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 66%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Gaston County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 333.03
Census Tract 325.07
Census Tract 325.08

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Gaston County, NC was Census Tract 333.03 with a value of $111,944, followed by Census Tract 325.07 and Census Tract 325.08, with respective values of $91,259 and $85,602.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Gaston County, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$56,819

Median Household Income

± $1,508

88.7k

Number of Households

± 2,254

In 2021, the median household income of the 88.7k households in Gaston County, NC grew to $56,819 from the previous year's value of $53,474.

The following chart displays the households in Gaston County, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Gaston County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (82.6%)
Carpooled (8.68%)
Worked At Home (6.44%)

In 2021, 82.6% of workers in Gaston County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.68%) and those who worked at home (6.44%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

26.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Gaston County, NC have a shorter commute time (26.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.65% of the workforce in Gaston County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Gaston County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Gaston County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Gaston County, NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 15.4% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Gaston County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.437%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

13.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Gaston County, NC (29.2k out of 222k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 45 - 54.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Gaston County, NC is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 16.1% of the children was living in poverty in Gaston County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 11.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 390 in Gaston County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 53.4 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

89.6% of the population of Gaston County, NC has health coverage, with 47.6% on employee plans, 16.9% on Medicaid, 13.1% on Medicare, 10.6% on non-group plans, and 1.4% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Gaston County, NC see 1741 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.798% decrease from the previous year (1755 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1827 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 370 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.6% were men and 52.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,741 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Gaston County, NC

Primary care physicians in Gaston County, NC see an average of 1,741 patients per year. This represents a 0.798% decrease from the previous year (1,755 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Gaston County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.1% under 18 years, 20% between 18 and 34 years, 40.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.6% were men and 52.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

10.4%

Uninsured

47.6%

Employer Coverage

16.9%

Medicaid

13.1%

Medicare

10.6%

Non-Group

1.4%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Gaston County, NC grew by 0.672% from 10.3% to 10.4%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Gaston County, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 57.7 in Gaston County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Gaston County, NC.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 34.3% in Gaston County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Gaston County, NC.

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