Gastonia, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gastonia, North Carolina had a total population of 82,884, the 13th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $64,059, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Gastonia Quick Facts
How Gastonia Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 82,884 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $60,554 | $64,059 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $250,000 | $277,600 | +11.0% |
How Gastonia Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gastonia Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Gaston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Holly | 18,208 | $79,385 | 8.2% | $337,800 |
| Belmont | 15,546 | $94,883 | 7.9% | $395,000 |
| Kings Mountain | 12,039 | $49,564 | 23.0% | $204,100 |
| Cherryville | 6,226 | $70,625 | 12.4% | $232,100 |
| Dallas | 6,104 | $58,403 | 10.5% | $254,000 |
| Bessemer City | 5,580 | $60,300 | 16.4% | $206,100 |
| Cramerton | 5,450 | $82,160 | 6.3% | $343,400 |
| Ranlo | 4,617 | $78,033 | 5.5% | $200,200 |
| Stanley | 4,069 | $75,461 | 8.1% | $270,200 |
| Lowell | 3,768 | $52,500 | 17.4% | $200,600 |
Cities Similar to Gastonia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | 94,535 | $71,102 | $440,000 | 53.4% | 14.2% |
| Jacksonville | 71,279 | $57,697 | $210,100 | 26.3% | 12.7% |
| Greenville | 92,857 | $49,748 | $233,500 | 39.1% | 24.6% |
| High Point | 116,245 | $64,561 | $235,800 | 34.0% | 15.7% |
| Burlington | 59,610 | $56,880 | $199,200 | 29.6% | 16.4% |
Population Overview
Gastonia is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Gaston County. The total population is 82,884. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gastonia is 36.5 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gastonia is $64,059. This is 12% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $277,600. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 54.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gastonia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.0%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
26.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gastonia, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Gastonia, North Carolina?
Gastonia, North Carolina has a population of 82,884 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gastonia, NC?
The median household income in Gastonia is $64,059, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gastonia, NC?
The poverty rate in Gastonia is 16.3%. This means approximately 13,212 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gastonia, North Carolina?
Gastonia's population is 51.0% White, 29.0% Black, 12.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gastonia, NC?
The median home value in Gastonia is $277,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Gastonia, North Carolina?
26.6% of adults (25+) in Gastonia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.