Population
246,558
2025
+7.8% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Gaston County, NC growth snapshot
Gaston County had an estimated 246,558 residents in 2025, up 7.8% (17,918 more people) since 2020. That is faster than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 34th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+2,610
2025
10.6 per 1,000 residents
+14,262 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
81,516
2025
+16.2% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$1,093
2025
+29.2% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
4.0%
2025
+0.1 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
2,343
2025
+7.3% since 2021
9.5 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$67,478
2020–24
+26.2% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
72,268
2023
+7.6% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 2,610 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 81,516 jobs in 2025, +16.2% since 2020 (25th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,093.
Unemployment averaged 4.0% in 2025, 0.1 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 2,343 new homes in 2025, or 9.5 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $67,478 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +26.2% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 313th.
Part of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area.
Gaston County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 246,558 | +3,538 |
| 2024 | 243,020 | +4,442 |
| 2023 | 238,578 | +4,333 |
| 2022 | 234,245 | +2,824 |
| 2021 | 231,421 | +2,781 |
| 2020 | 228,640 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Gaston County
Gaston County grew by 17,918 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+14,262).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +222 | −474 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +719 | +4,003 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +2,610 | +14,262 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −13 | +127 | |
| Total change | +3,538 | +17,918 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 23rd of 100 | 313th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 29th of 100 | 482nd of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 45th of 100 | 920th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 30th of 100 | 1,368th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 20th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 59th of 100 | 1,574th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 16th of 100 | 170th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Gaston County's population change (+7.8%) was ahead of 1 of its 4 neighbouring counties and behind 3.
3 of its 4 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Gaston County's $67,478 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston County, NC This county | 246,558 | +7.8% | 10.6 | 9.5 | $67,478 |
| Lincoln County, NC | 98,654 | +13.2% | 10.1 | 8.0 | $80,016 |
| York County, SC | 306,887 | +8.1% | 6.7 | 8.6 | $89,095 |
| Mecklenburg County, NC | 1,233,383 | +10.5% | 4.0 | 6.1 | $87,005 |
| Cleveland County, NC | 103,325 | +3.4% | 9.2 | 5.4 | $58,534 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Gaston County?
About 246,558 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Gaston County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 7.8% between 2020 and 2025, about 17,918 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 34th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Gaston County?
On net, about 2,610 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Gaston County?
Employers there reported 81,516 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +16.2% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,093 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Gaston County?
It averaged 4.0% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Gaston County?
Building permits authorized 2,343 new housing units in 2025, 9.5 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Gaston County?
$67,478 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Gaston County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 23rd of 100 for population growth; 29th of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 45th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 30th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 313th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.