Gastonia, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Gastonia, North Carolina is 81,632 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 13th-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $60,554, the median home value is $250,000, and the median age is 37.2.
The population has grown 19.3% since 2010 (71,707 → 85,535).
81,632
Population
1519
People / sq mi
$60,554
Median Income
$250,000
Median Home Value
Gastonia covers 53.7 sq mi of land at 1519 people per square mile.
About Gastonia, NC
Gastonia is a city in North Carolina with a population of 81,632. It ranks #13 among cities in North Carolina by population. The median age is 37.2, younger than the national median. The population is 47.8% male and 52.2% female.
The median household income in Gastonia is $60,554, below the US median of $74,580. 11.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $250,000, with monthly rent averaging $1,145. The homeownership rate of 54.2% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Gastonia reflects 27.7% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 9.8% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 25.7 minutes each way.
Gastonia city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Gastonia city had a population of 71,707 in 2010 and 85,535 in 2024, a 19.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 85,535 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.27%.
85,535
Population (2024)
71,707
Population (2010)
85,535
Peak (2024)
1.27%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 71,707 |
| 2011 | 71,871 |
| 2012 | 72,503 |
| 2013 | 72,789 |
| 2014 | 73,183 |
| 2015 | 74,009 |
| 2016 | 74,963 |
| 2017 | 76,307 |
| 2018 | 76,885 |
| 2019 | 77,273 |
| 2020 | 80,561 |
| 2021 | 81,386 |
| 2022 | 82,646 |
| 2023 | 84,231 |
| 2024 | 85,535 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 55.2% |
| Black or African American | 30.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$60,554
Median Household Income
$33,611
Per Capita Income
11.2%
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$250,000
Median Home Value
$1,145
Median Rent
54.2%
Owner-Occupied
Education
88.4%
High School+
27.7%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.0%
Drive Alone
77.7%
Public Transit
9.8%
Work From Home
25.7 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
29.5%
Foreign Born
88.2%
Non-English at Home
7.3%
Veterans
14.3%
With Disability
88.1%
Health Insurance
93.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 22.1% |
| Manufacturing | 13.6% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 10.8% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 7.7% |
| Retail Trade | 7.7% |
| Construction | 6.6% |
| Information | 6.0% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.1% |
| Public Administration | 4.1% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.4% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.6% |
Largest cities in North Carolina
Largest counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Gastonia, North Carolina has a population of 81,632 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 13th-largest city in North Carolina.
The median household income in Gastonia, North Carolina is $60,554, with 11.2% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Gastonia, North Carolina is $250,000, with median monthly rent at $1,145 and a homeownership rate of 54.2%.
The median age in Gastonia, North Carolina is 37.2 years. The population is 47.8% male and 52.2% female.
The population has grown 19.3% since 2010 (71,707 → 85,535).
More from North Carolina
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Full rankings of North Carolina cities by population
Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.