Gaston County, NC

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Population

214,049

1.08% growth

Median Age

40.1


Median Household Income

$46,626

5.28% growth

Poverty Rate

16.5%


Number of Employees

96,263

2.78% growth

Median Property Value

$130,700

3.73% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Gaston County, NC had a population of 214k people with a median age of 40.1 and a median household income of $46,626. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Gaston County, NC grew from 211,753 to 214,049, a 1.08% increase and its median household income grew from $44,288 to $46,626, a 5.28% increase.

The population of Gaston County, NC is 73.6% White Alone, 15.5% Black or African American Alone, and 6.62% Hispanic or Latino. N/A% 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 $130,700, and the homeownership rate is 65.4%. Most people in Gaston County, NC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 24.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Gaston County, NC is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: View of Charlotte from the Central Ave. bridge over Independence Blvd.

Photo by James Willamor

United StatesNorth CarolinaCharlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Economy

The economy of Gaston County, NC employs 96.3k people. The largest industries in Gaston County, NC are Manufacturing (17,194 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (12,653 people), and Retail Trade (12,218 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($63,514), Finance & Insurance ($55,562), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($51,115).

Median household income in Gaston County, NC is $46,626. Males in Gaston County, NC have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,729. The income inequality in Gaston County, NC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.473, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$46,626

2017 value

± $1,212

5.28%

1 Year Growth

± 3.38%

Households in Gaston County, NC have a median annual income of $46,626, 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 $44,288 in 2016, which represents a 5.28% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Gaston County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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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

± $1,136

$44,729

Average Female Salary

± $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.

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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

  1. Asian

    $59,267 ± $4,472

  2. White

    $49,962 ± $811

  3. 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.

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.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.473

2017 Wage GINI

0.471

2016 Wage GINI

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 2017 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 324.02

  2. Census Tract 325.02

  3. Census Tract 333.03

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Gaston County, NC was Census Tract 324.02 with a value of $95,568, followed by Census Tract 325.02 and Census Tract 333.03, with respective values of $88,056 and $87,027.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

16.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Gaston County, NC (34.9k out of 211k 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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    22,005 ± 945

  2. Black

    8,775 ± 645

  3. Hispanic

    3,867 ± 440

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

96.3k

2017 Value

± 1,870

2.78%

1 Year growth

± 2.7%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Gaston County, NC grew at a rate of 2.78%, from 93.7k employees to 96.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Gaston County, NC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (12,682 people), Sales & Related Occupations (10,696 people), and Production Occupations (10,663 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Gaston County, NC.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Gaston County, NC, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (12,682 people), Sales & Related Occupations (10,696 people), and Production Occupations (10,663 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Gaston County, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (1.91 times higher than expected), Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.51 times), and Material Moving Occupations (1.26 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Gaston County, NC, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($64,787), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($63,750), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($63,250).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

96.3k

2017 Value

± 1,870

2.78%

1 Year growth

± 2.7%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Gaston County, NC grew at a rate of 2.78%, from 93.7k employees to 96.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Gaston County, NC, are Manufacturing (17,194 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (12,653 people), and Retail Trade (12,218 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Gaston County, NC, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (17,194 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (12,653 people), and Retail Trade (12,218 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Gaston County, NC has an unusually high number of Utilities (2.17 times higher than expected), Manufacturing (1.76 times), and Management of Companies & Enterprises (1.23 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Gaston County, NC, by median earnings, are Utilities ($63,514), Finance & Insurance ($55,562), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($51,115).

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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

  1. Mixed freight

    $54.9B

  2. Pharmaceuticals

    $41.2B

  3. Machinery

    $40B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $54.9B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($41.2B) and Machinery ($40B).

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina state.

$443B

2020 Value

$632B

Projected 2045 Value

42.7% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $443B. This is expected to increase 42.7% 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.

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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

  1. South Carolina

    $28.4B

  2. Virginia

    $28.1B

  3. Georgia

    $28B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $28.4B, followed by Virginia with $28.1B and Georgia and $28B.

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

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Health

87.7% of the population of Gaston County, NC has health coverage, with 44.6% on employee plans, 17.8% on Medicaid, 12.2% on Medicare, 11.7% on non-group plans, and 1.41% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Gaston County, NC 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

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 neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. 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.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. 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.

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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 

$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.

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Health Care Coverage

12.3%

Uninsured

44.6%

Employer Coverage

17.8%

Medicaid

12.2%

Medicare

11.7%

Non-Group

1.41%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Gaston County, NC declined by 11.7% from 13.9% to 12.3%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Edgecombe County

    16.2% prevalence

  2. Robeson County

    16.1% prevalence

  3. Hertford County

    16% prevalence

Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in North Carolina, at 16.2%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in North Carolina by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Gaston County, NC is home to a population of 214k people, from which 96.8% are citizens. As of 2017, 5.43% of Gaston County, NC residents were born outside of the country (11.6k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Gaston County, NC is composed of 158k White Alone residents (73.6%), 33.2k Black or African American Alone residents (15.5%), 14.2k Hispanic or Latino residents (6.62%), 4.38k Two or More Races residents (2.05%), 3.15k Asian Alone residents (1.47%), 811 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.379%), 803 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.375%), and 33 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0154%).

Age

Age by Nativity

40

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

41

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.8

In 2017, 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 getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Gaston County, NC residents was 40.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

5.43%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

11.6k people

5.16%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

10.9k people

As of 2017, 5.43% of Gaston County, NC residents (11.6k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Gaston County, NC was 5.16%, 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.

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Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    242,756 ± 11,950 people

  2. India

    60,392 ± 6,015 people

  3. 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.

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Citizenship

96.8%

2017 Citizenship

96.8%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 96.8% of Gaston County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Gaston County, NC was 96.8%, 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.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    158k ± 371

  2. Black or African American Alone

    33.2k ± 648

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    14.2k ± 1.12k

In 2017, there were 4.75 times more White Alone residents (158k people) in Gaston County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 33.2k Black or African American Alone and 14.2k Hispanic or Latino residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Gaston County, NC as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    5,086 ± 333

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    2,087 ± 269

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    1,703 ± 284

Gaston County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.44 times greater than any other conflict.

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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

  1. Liberal Arts & Sciences

    331 degrees awarded

  2. Registered Nursing

    68 degrees awarded

  3. Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities

    64 degrees awarded

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

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

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Gaston College

    1,143 degrees awarded

  2. Belmont Abbey College

    313 degrees awarded

  3. 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.

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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.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    1,066 degrees awarded

  2. Black or African American

    218 degrees awarded

  3. 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.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Gaston County, NC was $130,700 in 2017, which is 0.569 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $126,000 to $130,700, a 3.73% increase. The homeownership rate in Gaston County, NC is 65.4%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Gaston County, NC have an average commute time of 24.5 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

$130,700

2017 Median

± $2,121

$126,000

2016 Median

± $2,474

In 2017, the median property value in Gaston County, NC grew to to $130,700 from the previous year's value of $126,000.

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 $100k - $125k range.

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Household Income

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

$46,626

Median Household Income

± $1,212

80.7k

Number of Households

± 1,732

In 2017, the median household income of the 80.7k households in Gaston County, NC grew to $46,626 from the previous year's value of $44,288.

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.

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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.

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Rent vs Own

65.4%

2017 Homeownership

65.9%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 65.4% of the housing units in Gaston County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 65.9%.

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.

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Commute Time

24.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Gaston County, NC have a shorter commute time (24.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 1.46% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    85.3%

  2. Carpooled

    9.33%

  3. Worked At Home

    3.26%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Gaston County, NC was Drove Alone (85.3%), followed by those who Carpooled (9.33%) and those who Worked At Home (3.26%).

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.

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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.

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