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Gastonia, NC
City in Gaston County, North Carolina. ZIP codes: 28052, 28054, 28056.
Population
82,884
Land area
53.7sq mi
People per sq mi
1,542
ZIP codes
3
Gastonia and its ZIP codes
Gastonia at a glance
- Gastonia is about 7 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 13th among 772 cities and towns in North Carolina.
- The median household income is $64,059, 12% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $277,600 (4% below North Carolina) and median rent is $1,204 a month.
Local data for Gastonia, NC
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes6
- Schools22
- Libraries2
- Banks20
- Post Offices5
- Parks20
- Grocery Stores43
- Restaurants290
- Affordable Housing16
- Home Health Agencies3
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers2
- Community Health Centers33
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment16
- Private Schools4
- Toxic Release Facilities9
- Historic Places7
Housing and community stats
Gastonia, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$64,059
Poverty rate
16.3%
Median home value
$277,600
Median rent
$1,204/mo
Homeownership
54.2%
Bachelor's or higher
26.6%
Median age
36.5
Average commute
26.8 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (7,735), Irish Americans (5,384), Mexican Americans (3,121).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Gaston County. PPP loans are for Gastonia.
Unemployment rate
3.2%
Sep 2026, -0.7 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$56,852
81,516 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$55,398
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.5B
FY 2026, $6,538 per person
PPP loans
$102M
1,480 loans, 13,547 jobs reported
How people get to work
Gastonia, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone77.1%
- Carpooled8.8%
- Public transit0.7%
- Walked0.7%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.8%
- Worked from home12.0%
Average one-way commute: 26.8 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Gastonia, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: ice storm
Storm events since 1996
553
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
313
0.4% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
91° / 31°F
44.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone7 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Gastonia, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
37.8%
U.S. 33.3% +4.5 pts
Diabetes
13.5%
U.S. 12.1% +1.4 pts
Smoking
15.6%
U.S. 12.8% +2.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
12.5%
U.S. 11.1% +1.4 pts
ZIP codes in Gastonia
3 in or overlapping Gastonia. Population shown
Cities near Gastonia
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| SpringdaleCensus-designated place | 3.5 mi | 0.7 |
| RanloTown | 4 mi | 2.1 |
| DallasTown | 4.6 mi | 3.1 |
| LowellCity | 5 mi | 3.7 |
| Spencer MountainTown | 5.5 mi | 0.5 |
| McAdenvilleTown | 5.8 mi | 1.4 |
| Bessemer CityCity | 6.1 mi | 5.7 |
| CramertonTown | 6.3 mi | 4.6 |
| BelmontCity | 8 mi | 12.2 |
| StanleyTown | 8.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Kings MountainCity | 9.4 mi | 14.6 |
| Clover, SCTown | 9.5 mi | 4.7 |
| High ShoalsCity | 10 mi | 2.6 |
| AlexisCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 2 |
| Mount HollyCity | 11 mi | 11.3 |
| Lake Wylie, SCCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 7.9 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Gastonia, NC in?
- Gastonia is in Gaston County, North Carolina.
- What ZIP codes are in Gastonia, NC?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Gastonia include 28052, 28054, 28056.
- What is the population of Gastonia, NC?
- About 82,884 people live in Gastonia, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Gastonia?
- Nearby places include Springdale (3.5 mi), Ranlo (4 mi), Dallas (4.6 mi), Lowell (5 mi), Spencer Mountain (5.5 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023