Gaston County, NC

County

Add Comparison

Population

216,585

1.18% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

Median Age

40.1

Poverty Rate

15.6%

Median Household Income

$49,384

5.92% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$136,500

4.44% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

98,902

2.74% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, Gaston County, NC had a population of 217k people with a median age of 40.1 and a median household income of $49,384. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Gaston County, NC grew from 214,049 to 216,585, a 1.18% increase and its median household income grew from $46,626 to $49,384, a 5.92% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Gaston County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (73%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (15.8%), White (Hispanic) (3.91%), Other (Hispanic) (2.32%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.17%). NaNk% of the people in Gaston County, NC speak a non-English language, and 96.8% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Gaston County, NC are Gaston College (1,143 degrees awarded in 2017), Belmont Abbey College (313 degrees), and Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia (158 degrees).

The median property value in Gaston County, NC is $136,500, and the homeownership rate is 66.3%. Most people in Gaston County, NC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 25.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Gaston County, NC is 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

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for North Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in North Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

View Full Dashboard

Impact on Employment

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

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.

View Full Dashboard

Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of North Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

View Full Dashboard

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Gaston County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 64.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (32.3%), followed by Other (3.58%). The most partisan county was Graham County, NC with 78.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis 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 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (64.1%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (32.3%)
Democratic Party
Other (3.58%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 64.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (32.3%), followed by Other (3.58%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of North Carolina.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Gaston County, NC

64.1% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in North Carolina

Graham County, NC
78.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Yadkin County, NC
78.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Durham County, NC
77.7% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in North Carolina was Graham County, NC with 78.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in North Carolina colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from North Carolina

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

Richard Burr

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis 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 Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 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.

Diversity

Gaston County, NC is home to a population of 217k people, from which 96.8% are citizens. As of 2018, 5.54% of Gaston County, NC residents were born outside of the country (12k people).

In 2018, there were 4.61 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (158k people) in Gaston County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 34.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 8.47k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Gaston County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
158k ± 359
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
34.3k ± 551
White (Hispanic)
8.47k ± 781

6.76%

Hispanic Population

14.6k people

6.76% of the people in Gaston County, NC are hispanic (14.6k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

5.54%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

12k people

5.43%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

11.6k people

As of 2018, 5.54% of Gaston County, NC residents (12k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Gaston County, NC was 5.43%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.8

In 2018, the median age of all people in Gaston County, NC was 40.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Gaston County, NC are getting staying the same age. In 2017, the average age of all Gaston County, NC residents was 40.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
242,756 ± 11,950 people
India
60,392 ± 6,015 people
Honduras
34,513 ± 4,553 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 242,756 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 60,392 and Honduras with 34,513.

Citizenship

96.8%

2018 Citizenship

96.8%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 96.8% of Gaston County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Gaston County, NC was 96.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,928 ± 328
Gulf War (2001-)
2,210 ± 333
Gulf War (1990s)
1,702 ± 190

Gaston County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.23 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Gaston County, NC is $49,384. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Gaston County, NC was Census Tract 333.03 with a value of $100,784, followed by Census Tract 324.02 and Census Tract 325.02, with respective values of $98,175 and $93,851.

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,729. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.473, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Gaston County, NC employs 98.9k people. The largest industries in Gaston County, NC are Manufacturing (17,213 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (12,795 people), and Retail Trade (12,306 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($69,688), Finance & Insurance ($56,871), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($53,078).

Wages

Median Household Income

$49,384

2018 value

± $1,207

5.92%

1 Year Growth

± 3.37%

Households in Gaston County, NC have a median annual income of $49,384, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $46,626 in 2017, which represents a 5.92% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Gaston County, NC compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$59,982

Average Male Salary in North Carolina

± $1,136

$44,729

Average Female Salary in North Carolina

± $812

In 2017, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in North Carolina

Asian
$59,267 ± $4,472
White
$49,962 ± $811
Two or More Races
$36,539 ± $3,942

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.19 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in North Carolina.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

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

0.473

2017 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.471

2016 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2017, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.473 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.39% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 333.03
Census Tract 324.02
Census Tract 325.02

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Gaston County, NC was Census Tract 333.03 with a value of $100,784, followed by Census Tract 324.02 and Census Tract 325.02, with respective values of $98,175 and $93,851.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Gaston County, NC (33.3k out of 213k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 45 - 54 and then Females 35 - 44.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
21,748 ± 984
Black
8,040 ± 595
Hispanic
3,769 ± 426

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

98.9k

2018 Value

± 1,994

2.74%

1 Year growth

± 2.73%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Gaston County, NC grew at a rate of 2.74%, from 96.3k employees to 98.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Gaston County, NC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,432 people), Production Occupations (10,807 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (10,485 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Gaston County, NC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Gaston County, NC, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,432 people), Production Occupations (10,807 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (10,485 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Gaston County, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (1.9 times higher than expected), Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.57 times), and Material Moving Occupations (1.29 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Gaston County, NC, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($68,441), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($67,522), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($65,313).

Industries

Employment by Industries

98.9k

2018 Value

± 1,994

2.74%

1 Year growth

± 2.73%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Gaston County, NC grew at a rate of 2.74%, from 96.3k employees to 98.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Gaston County, NC, are Manufacturing (17,213 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (12,795 people), and Retail Trade (12,306 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.

Most Common

The most common industries in Gaston County, NC, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (17,213 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (12,795 people), and Retail Trade (12,306 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Gaston County, NC has an unusually high number of Utilities (2.11 times higher than expected), Manufacturing (1.73 times), and Transportation & Warehousing (1.24 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Gaston County, NC, by median earnings, are Utilities ($69,688), Finance & Insurance ($56,871), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($53,078).

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 2015, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $50.4B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($35.3B) and Machinery ($34.5B).

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.

$407B

2015 Value in North Carolina

$632B

Projected 2045 Value in North Carolina

55.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound North Carolina trade was $407B. This is expected to increase 55.4% to $632B by 2045.

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
$25.6B
Georgia
$25.4B
Virginia
$25.2B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $25.6B, followed by Georgia with $25.4B and Virginia and $25.2B.

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

Education

In 2017, universities in Gaston County, NC awarded 1,614 degrees. The student population of Gaston County, NC is skewed towards women, with 2,646 male students and 4,450 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Gaston County, NC are White (1,066 and 67.9%), followed by Black or African American (218 and 13.9%), Unknown (136 and 8.66%), and Hispanic or Latino (90 and 5.73%).

The largest universities in Gaston County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Gaston College (1,143 and 70.8%), Belmont Abbey College (313 and 19.4%), and Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia (158 and 9.79%).

The most popular majors in Gaston County, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (353 and 21.9%), General Cosmetology (165 and 10.2%), and General Business Administration & Management (118 and 7.31%).

The median tuition costs in Gaston County, NC are $18,500 for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
331 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
68 degree-majorss awarded
Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities
64 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Gaston County, NC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 331 degree-majorss awarded.

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

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Gaston College
1,143 degrees awarded
Belmont Abbey College
313 degrees awarded
Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia
158 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$18,500

Median Private

In 2017, the Gaston County, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Gaston College with 1,143 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

561

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,053

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 561 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Gaston County, NC, which is 0.533 times less than the 1,053 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Gaston County, NC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
1,066 degrees awarded
Black or African American
218 degrees awarded
Unknown
136 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Gaston County, NC were to White students. These 1,066 degrees mean that there were 4.89 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 218 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Gaston County, NC was $136,500 in 2018, which is 0.594 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $130,700 to $136,500, a 4.44% increase. The homeownership rate in Gaston County, NC is 66.3%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Gaston County, NC have an average commute time of 25.1 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Gaston County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$136,500

2018 Median

± $2,066

$130,700

2017 Median

± $2,121

In 2018, the median property value in Gaston County, NC grew to to $136,500 from the previous year's value of $130,700.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Gaston County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Gaston County, NC the largest share of households have a property value in the N/A range.

Household Income

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

$49,384

Median Household Income

± $1,207

81.5k

Number of Households

± 1,739

In 2018, the median household income of the 81.5k households in Gaston County, NC grew to $49,384 from the previous year's value of $46,626.

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.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Gaston County, NC 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.

Rent vs Own

66.3%

2018 Homeownership

65.4%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 66.3% of the housing units in Gaston County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 65.4%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Gaston County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

25.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Gaston County, NC have a shorter commute time (25.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 1.63% 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.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
85.5%
Carpooled
8.8%
Worked At Home
3.36%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Gaston County, NC was Drove Alone (85.5%), followed by those who Carpooled (8.8%) and those who Worked At Home (3.36%).

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.

Transportation

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, followed by 3 cars.

Health

89.2% of the population of Gaston County, NC has health coverage, with 45.8% on employee plans, 17.2% on Medicaid, 12.4% on Medicare, 12.3% on non-group plans, and 1.47% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in Gaston County, NC see 1593 patients per year on average, which represents a 5.64% increase from the previous year (1508 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1823 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 501 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16.2%). Additionally, Hertford County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (40.5%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,593 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Gaston County, NC

Primary care physicians in Gaston County, NC see an average of 1,593 patients per year. This represents a 5.64% increase from the previous year (1,508 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.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$7,264

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in North Carolina

$3,859

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,225

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,260

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in North Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.37%, from $7,027 to $7,264.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

10.8%

Uninsured

45.8%

Employer Coverage

17.2%

Medicaid

12.4%

Medicare

12.3%

Non-Group

1.47%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Gaston County, NC declined by 12.2% from 12.3% to 10.8%.

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.