Gaston, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gaston, South Carolina had a total population of 1,803, the 212th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $60,000, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Gaston Quick Facts
How Gaston 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 | 2,026 | 1,803 | -11.0% |
| Median household income | $59,500 | $60,000 | +0.8% |
| Median home value | $117,900 | $120,000 | +1.8% |
How Gaston 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gaston Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Lexington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | 24,585 | $87,126 | 7.4% | $297,700 |
| West Columbia | 17,963 | $56,912 | 13.7% | $201,700 |
| Seven Oaks | 15,921 | $62,955 | 12.2% | $208,400 |
| Oak Grove | 12,256 | $74,554 | 12.6% | $210,300 |
| Red Bank | 11,314 | $68,004 | 11.5% | $189,000 |
| White Knoll | 8,310 | $80,246 | 11.1% | $249,400 |
| Batesburg-Leesville | 4,941 | $49,646 | 15.1% | $135,100 |
| Springdale | 2,742 | $77,722 | 5.8% | $221,700 |
| Pine Ridge | 2,596 | $95,000 | 7.3% | $227,900 |
| South Congaree | 2,075 | $59,539 | 14.6% | $192,500 |
Cities Similar to Gaston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigerville | 1,880 | N/A | N/A | 65.3% | 13.4% |
| Pelzer | 1,722 | $58,134 | $178,100 | 24.1% | 26.9% |
| Ridgeville | 1,740 | $55,637 | $181,800 | 4.3% | 7.8% |
| Irwin | 1,919 | $55,885 | $176,900 | 12.4% | 26.1% |
| Fairforest | 1,727 | $52,468 | $199,800 | 9.0% | 28.9% |
Population Overview
Gaston is a small community located in South Carolina, within Lexington County. The total population is 1,803. It ranks as the 212th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gaston is 40.4 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gaston is $60,000. This is 13% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.0%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $120,000. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Gaston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gaston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.5%. The Black or African American population (8.6%) is well below the state average of 24.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.5% vs 7.4%).
Education
11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gaston, South 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 South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Gaston, South Carolina?
Gaston, South Carolina has a population of 1,803 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gaston, SC?
The median household income in Gaston is $60,000, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gaston, SC?
The poverty rate in Gaston is 18.0%. This means approximately 324 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gaston, South Carolina?
Gaston's population is 69.0% White, 8.6% Black, 12.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gaston, SC?
The median home value in Gaston is $120,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Gaston, South Carolina?
11.3% of adults (25+) in Gaston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.