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 179 years ago in 1846.
County Snapshot
Gaston County at a glance
Gaston County currently has 14 quality-checked populated place pages linked on MapSof, making it easier to jump from the county overview into local city pages.
Mapped populated places
14
These counts use a stricter populated-place filter so the main lists stay focused on real city and town pages.
North Carolina counties
100
Open related pagesLargest city
GastoniaPopulation 77,640
Top linked places
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% |
| Latitude & Longitude | 35.2944,-81.1803 |
| Named for | William Gaston |
| Altitude | 702 feet / 214 meters |
| Capital | Gastonia |
| Establishment | December 21, 1846 |
| Time Zone | America/New_York |
| Local time | 15:47:48 (18th April 2026) |
| Density | 241 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth | 9.04% (2010-2020) |
| Weather | 90℉ Mostly Sunny 7-days weather |
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
icon to open full mode. View satellite images
The largest city of Gaston County is Gastonia with a population of 77,640. Other cities include, Mount Holly population 16,415, Davidson population 13,203, Belmont population 12,622 and Cherryville population 6,138. 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 |
Weather
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 1 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
7-Day ForecastOfficial website of Gaston County
Official Website- 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 |