Gaston County, NC

County

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2019 Population

219,271

1.24% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

40.1

0% 1-year change

2019 Poverty Rate

14.5%

7.43% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$52,835

6.99% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$144,200

5.64% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

102,010

3.14% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Gaston County, NC had a population of 219k people with a median age of 40.1 and a median household income of $52,835. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Gaston County, NC grew from 216,585 to 219,271, a 1.24% increase and its median household income grew from $49,384 to $52,835, a 6.99% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Gaston County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (72.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (16.2%), White (Hispanic) (4.59%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.27%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.87%). 0% of the households in Gaston County, NC speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

96.9% of the residents in Gaston County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Gaston County, NC are Gaston College (1,586 degrees awarded in 2019), Belmont Abbey College (306 degrees), and Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia (189 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Gaston County, NC was $144,200, and the homeownership rate was 65.3%. Most people in Gaston County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.6 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

Diversity

Gaston County, NC is home to a population of 219k people, from which 96.9% are citizens. As of 2019, 15% of Gaston County, NC residents were born outside of the country (32.8k people).

In 2019, there were 4.48 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (159k people) in Gaston County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 35.5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 10.1k 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)
159k ± 125
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
35.5k ± 691
White (Hispanic)
10.1k ± 640

7.01%

Hispanic Population

15.4k people

7.01% of the people in Gaston County, NC are hispanic (15.4k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

15%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

32.8k people

5.54%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

12k people

As of 2019, 15% of Gaston County, NC residents (32.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 34%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Gaston County, NC was 5.54%, 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

± 1.7

In 2019, 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 foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Gaston County, NC are getting staying the same age. In 2018, 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
229,947 ± 11,640 people
India
70,805 ± 6,510 people
Honduras
36,544 ± 4,685 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 229,947 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 70,805 and Honduras with 36,544.

Citizenship

96.9%

2019 Citizenship

96.8%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 96.9% of Gaston County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, 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
4,627 ± 341
Gulf War (2001-)
2,334 ± 302
Gulf War (1990s)
1,901 ± 296

Gaston County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.98 times greater than any other conflict.

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.

Y-Axis

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.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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.

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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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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.

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Economy

Median household income in Gaston County, NC is $52,835. In 2019, the tract with the highest median household income in Gaston County, NC was Census Tract 333.03 with a value of $102,909, followed by Census Tract 324.02 and Census Tract 325.08, with respective values of $100,900 and $98,125.

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,862. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.472, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Gaston County, NC employs 102k people. The largest industries in Gaston County, NC are Manufacturing (17,948 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (13,229 people), and Retail Trade (12,481 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($83,309), Utilities ($74,511), and Finance & Insurance ($59,575).

Wages

Median Household Income

$52,835

2019 value

± $994

6.99%

1 Year Growth

± 2.88%

Households in Gaston County, NC have a median annual income of $52,835, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $49,384 in 2018, which represents a 6.99% 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.

$63,585

Average Male Salary in North Carolina

± $1,168

$47,862

Average Female Salary in North Carolina

± $855

In 2019, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.33 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
$64,719 ± $4,583
White
$53,494 ± $850
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$42,933 ± $24,629

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.21 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.

0.472

2019 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.473

2018 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2019, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.472 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0599% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 333.03
Census Tract 324.02
Census Tract 325.08

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Gaston County, NC was Census Tract 333.03 with a value of $102,909, followed by Census Tract 324.02 and Census Tract 325.08, with respective values of $100,900 and $98,125.

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

14.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Gaston County, NC (31.2k out of 216k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 55 - 64.

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
20,535 ± 915
Black
7,414 ± 626
Hispanic
3,806 ± 434

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

102k

2019 Value

± 2,051

3.14%

1 Year growth

± 2.76%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Gaston County, NC grew at a rate of 3.14%, from 98.9k employees to 102k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Gaston County, NC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,747 people), Production Occupations (10,990 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (10,690 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 (11,747 people), Production Occupations (10,990 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (10,690 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 (1.69 times), and Material Moving Occupations (1.24 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Gaston County, NC, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($68,901), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($68,470), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($68,317).

Industries

Employment by Industries

102k

2019 Value

± 2,051

3.14%

1 Year growth

± 2.76%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Gaston County, NC grew at a rate of 3.14%, from 98.9k employees to 102k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Gaston County, NC, are Manufacturing (17,948 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (13,229 people), and Retail Trade (12,481 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 (17,948 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (13,229 people), and Retail Trade (12,481 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Gaston County, NC has an unusually high number of Utilities (2.06 times higher than expected), Manufacturing (1.76 times), and Management of Companies & Enterprises (1.37 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Gaston County, NC, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($83,309), Utilities ($74,511), and Finance & Insurance ($59,575).

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 2018, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $54.1B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($40B) and Machinery ($36.8B).

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.

$430B

2018 Value in North Carolina

$840B

Projected 2045 Value in North Carolina

95.4% growth

In 2018, total outbound North Carolina trade was $430B. This is expected to increase 95.4% to $840B 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

Georgia
$28.2B
South Carolina
$27.5B
Virginia
$24.4B

In 2018, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $28.2B, followed by South Carolina with $27.5B and Virginia and $24.4B.

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

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.

Education

In 2019, universities in Gaston County, NC awarded 2,081 degrees. The student population of Gaston County, NC is skewed towards women, with 2,731 male students and 4,791 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Gaston County, NC are White (1,306 and 64.5%), followed by Black or African American (336 and 16.6%), Unknown (210 and 10.4%), and Hispanic or Latino (99 and 4.89%).

The largest universities in Gaston County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Gaston College (1,586 and 76.2%), Belmont Abbey College (306 and 14.7%), and Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia (189 and 9.08%).

The most popular majors in Gaston County, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (311 and 14.9%), General Cosmetology (210 and 10.1%), and General Business Administration & Management (207 and 9.95%).

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

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
102 degree-majorss awarded
Accounting
59 degree-majorss awarded
Early Childhood Education & Teaching
57 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common concentation for < 1 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Gaston County, NC was General Business Administration & Management with 102 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a < 1 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Gaston County, NC according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Gaston College
1,586 degrees awarded
Belmont Abbey College
306 degrees awarded
Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia
189 degrees awarded

$18,500

Median Private

In 2019, the Gaston County, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Gaston College with 1,586 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

774

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,307

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 774 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Gaston County, NC, which is 0.592 times less than the 1,307 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
1,306 degrees awarded
Black or African American
336 degrees awarded
Unknown
210 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Gaston County, NC was White students. These 1,306 degrees mean that there were 3.89 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 336 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Gaston County, NC was $144,200 in 2019, which is 0.6 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $136,500 to $144,200, a 5.64% increase. The homeownership rate in Gaston County, NC is 65.3%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Gaston County, NC have an average commute time of 25.6 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.

Housing

Property Value

$144,200

2019 Median

± $2,439

$136,500

2018 Median

± $2,066

In 2019, the median property value in Gaston County, NC grew to to $144,200 from the previous year's value of $136,500.

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 $150k - $175k range.

Household Income

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

$52,835

Median Household Income

± $994

83.7k

Number of Households

± 1,744

In 2019, the median household income of the 83.7k households in Gaston County, NC grew to $52,835 from the previous year's value of $49,384.

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

65.3%

2019 Homeownership

66.3%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 65.3% of the housing units in Gaston County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 66.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Gaston County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

25.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Gaston County, NC have a longer commute time (25.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.64% 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 Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (85.3%)
Carpooled (9.12%)
Worked At Home (3.23%)

In 2019, 85.3% of workers in Gaston County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.12%) and those who worked at home (3.23%).

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 false.

Health

89.7% of the population of Gaston County, NC has health coverage, with 46.6% on employee plans, 17.4% on Medicaid, 12.7% on Medicare, 11.5% on non-group plans, and 1.56% 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 1755 patients per year on average, which represents a 6.82% increase from the previous year (1643 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1796 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 394 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jones County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (27.2%). Additionally, Bladen County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (49.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,755 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Gaston County, NC

Primary care physicians in Gaston County, NC see an average of 1,755 patients per year. This represents a 6.82% increase from the previous year (1,643 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

10.3%

Uninsured

46.6%

Employer Coverage

17.4%

Medicaid

12.7%

Medicare

11.5%

Non-Group

1.56%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Gaston County, NC declined by 4.98% from 10.8% to 10.3%.

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.