Gaston County, North Carolina
Gaston County: County in North Carolina, United States
About
Gaston County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 206,086 and a population density of 219 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 226,568 inhabitants. Its county seat is Gastonia. The county was created 178 years ago in 1846.

Quick Facts about Gaston County
Population : | 226,568 (2020) |
Country : | United States of America |
State : | North Carolina (United States) |
Different from : | Gaston |
Area : | 942 km2 |
Water as percent of area : | 2.2% |
Land as percent of area : | 97.8% |
Named for : | William Gaston |
Altitude : | 702 feet / 214 meters |
Capital : | Gastonia |
Establishment : | December 12, 1846 |
Time Zone : | America/New_York |
Local time : | 03:25:37 (22nd February 2025) |
Density : | 241 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
Population growth : | 9.04% (2010-2020) |


Geography
Gaston County is located at 35°17'40"N 81°10'49"W (35.2943700, -81.1802500). It has 3 neighbors: Cleveland County, Mecklenburg County and York County.
Gaston County map
The largest city of Gaston County is Gastonia with a population of 77,640. Other cities include, Mount Holly population 16,415, Belmont population 12,622, Cherryville population 6,138 and Bessemer City population 5,577. See all Gaston County cities & populated places.
Gaston County Populated Places
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Gaston County.
City Name | Population | Title |
---|---|---|
Gastonia | 77,640 | The most populous city in Gaston County, North Carolina. |
Mount Holly | 16,415 | City in Gaston County, North Carolina |
Davidson | 13,203 | Town in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States |
Belmont | 12,622 | City in North Carolina, United States |
Cherryville | 6,138 | City in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States of America |
Bessemer City | 5,577 | City in North Carolina, United States |
South Gastonia | 5,312 | Unincorporated community |
Dallas | 4,851 | Town in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States |
Cramerton | 4,511 | Town in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. |
Stanley | 3,793 | Town in North Carolina |
Lowell | 3,744 | City in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States |
Ranlo | 3,708 | City in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States of America |
High Shoals | 757 | Town |
McAdenville | 677 | Human settlement in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States of America |
- Official Website
Official website of Gaston County
Gaston County has 3 neighbours.
- Cleveland County county in North Carolina, United States
- Mecklenburg County county in North Carolina, United States
- York County county in South Carolina, United States
- Gastonia
Demographics
The population of Gaston County increased by 9.04% in 10 years.
Year | Population | % Change | Method |
2010 | 206,086 | - | census |
2011 | 206,886 | 0.39% | estimation process |
2012 | 207,903 | 0.49% | estimation process |
2013 | 209,212 | 0.63% | estimation process |
2014 | 210,545 | 0.63% | estimation process |
2015 | 212,919 | 1.11% | estimation process |
2016 | 216,622 | 1.71% | estimation process |
2017 | 219,656 | 1.38% | estimation process |
2018 | 222,630 | 1.34% | estimation process |
2019 | 224,529 | 0.85% | estimation process |
2020 | 226,568 | 0.9% | estimation process |
People born in Gaston County (1)
baseball outfielder from the United States (1925-1974) George Wilson was born in Gaston County
North Carolina Other Counties (more counties)
County Name | Population | Title |
---|---|---|
Wake County | 1,132,271 | County in North Carolina, United States |
Mecklenburg County | 1,128,945 | County in North Carolina, United States |
Charlotte | 900,350 | The fourteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Charlotte metropolitan area. |
Guilford County | 540,521 | County in North Carolina, United States of America |
Raleigh | 474,414 | The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education. |
Forsyth County | 383,843 | County in North Carolina, United States of America |
West Raleigh | 338,759 | A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina. |
Cumberland County | 336,364 | County in Maine, United States |
Durham County | 327,306 | County in North Carolina, United States of America |
Greensboro | 297,878 | The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area. |
Durham | 285,897 | The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area. |
Buncombe County | 263,477 | County in North Carolina, United States |
Winston-Salem | 248,112 | The fifth most populous city in North Carolina. |
Union County | 244,562 | County in North Carolina, United States |
New Hanover County | 236,613 | County in North Carolina, United States |
Cabarrus County | 221,479 | County in North Carolina, United States |