Gastonia, NC Demographics

A map of Gastonia's Population by Race

Gastonia, North Carolina has an estimated population of 82,884, an increase from the 80,411 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 51.0% White, 29.0% Black, 12.8% Hispanic, 5.1% Multiracial, 1.3% Asian, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Gastonia, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Gastonia is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Gastonia, that probability was 63.2% in 2020 and 63.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Gastonia is ranked the 13th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Gastonia was ranked the 13th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Gastonia's White Population

42,263 residents of Gastonia, or 51.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Gastonia is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Gastonia ranks 563rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Gastonia's White population has grown by an estimated 3.4%. White residents' share of Gastonia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 51.0%.

Gastonia is more White than neighboring Dallas (47% White), Ranlo (50.8% White), and Spencer Mountain (0% White). Gastonia is less White than neighboring Springdale (68% White), and Lowell (70.5% White).

Gastonia's Black Population

24,023 residents of Gastonia, or 29.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Gastonia is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Gastonia ranks 186th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Gastonia's Black population has declined by an estimated 1.3%. Black residents' share of Gastonia's population has decreased from 30.3% to 29.0%.

Gastonia is more Black than neighboring Springdale (7.7% Black), Lowell (13.5% Black), and Spencer Mountain (0% Black). Gastonia is less Black than neighboring Dallas (34.6% Black), and Ranlo (30.3% Black).

Gastonia's Asian Population

1,056 residents of Gastonia, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Gastonia is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Gastonia ranks 145th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Gastonia's Asian population has declined by an estimated 24.0%. Asian residents' share of Gastonia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Gastonia is more Asian than neighboring Springdale (0% Asian), Dallas (0.4% Asian), Ranlo (1% Asian), Lowell (0.6% Asian), and Spencer Mountain (0% Asian).

Gastonia's Hispanic Population

10,598 residents of Gastonia, or 12.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Gastonia is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Gastonia ranks 154th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Gastonia's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 4.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Gastonia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 12.8%.

Gastonia is more Hispanic than neighboring Lowell (12% Hispanic), and Spencer Mountain (0% Hispanic). Gastonia is less Hispanic than neighboring Springdale (21.3% Hispanic), Dallas (13.4% Hispanic), and Ranlo (15% Hispanic).

Gastonia's Native American/Other Population

682 residents of Gastonia, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Gastonia is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Gastonia ranks 427th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Gastonia's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 21.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Gastonia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Gastonia is more Native American/Other than neighboring Springdale (0% Native American/Other), Ranlo (0.3% Native American/Other), Lowell (0% Native American/Other), and Spencer Mountain (0% Native American/Other). Gastonia is less Native American/Other than neighboring Dallas (2.2% Native American/Other).

Gastonia's Multiracial Population

4,262 residents of Gastonia, or 5.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Gastonia is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Gastonia ranks 354th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Gastonia's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 37.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Gastonia's population has increased from 3.9% to 5.1%.

Gastonia is more Multiracial than neighboring Springdale (3% Multiracial), Dallas (2.4% Multiracial), Ranlo (2.7% Multiracial), Lowell (3.5% Multiracial), and Spencer Mountain (0% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.