12th most populous of 100
With 242,010 residents in 2024, Gaston County ranks 12th by population among North Carolina's 100 counties and is home to 2.2% of the state's residents.
Gaston County is home to 242,010 people (2024 estimate) on 356 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
242,010
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
227,944
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+6.2%
2020–2024
Land area
356 mi²
921 km²
Population density
680.3 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
2,798
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
2,746
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+52
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+3,804
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$55,398
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$11.3 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$67,478
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
13.5%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
26.5%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
6.4%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$266,000
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.7%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024242,010▲ 27%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 242,010 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 206,086 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 190,679 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +26.9% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +1,052 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | +2,752 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 11.6 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 11.3 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in North Carolina | 12th of 100 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $55,398 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $11.3 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $67,478 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 26.5% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 6.4% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $266,000 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,153/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 39.1 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 93,576 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Gaston County in context
Comparable indicators for Gaston County, North Carolina and the United States.
| Indicator | County | North Carolina | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +6.2% | +5.8% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 11.6 | 11.0 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 11.3 | 9.8 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 15.7 | 13.8 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 680.3 | 227.2 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $55,398 | $65,634 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $67,478 | $72,388 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 13.0% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 26.5% | 35.7% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 6.4% | 9.1% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $266,000 | $288,900 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,153/month | $1,228/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 39.1 years | 39.1 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.8% | 66.6% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
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Did you know? Gaston County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 190,679 in 2000 to 242,010 in 2024, a change of +26.9%, compared with +36.7% for North Carolina as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 2,798 births and 2,746 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 52.
Record population
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population in 2024, at 242,010.
7th in density
Gaston County has about 680.3 residents per square mile of land, ranking 7th of 100 counties; North Carolina averages 227.2.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $67,478 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 30th of 100 North Carolina counties; the state median is $72,388.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $11.3 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 17th largest among 100 North Carolina counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 4.1% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS