Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Gaston, NC Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

912

Median Agei

Race & Ethnicityi

Black

58.4%533

White

36.5%333

Two or More

2.1%19

Hispanic/Latino

1.4%13

Other

1%9

Asian

0.5%5

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

7.8%47

High School Diploma

34.6%208

Some College (<1 yr)

9.5%57

Some College (1+ yr)

13.3%80

Associate's Degree

5%30

Bachelor's Degree

7.5%45

Master's Degree

1.5%9

Doctorate

4.2%25

HS or Higher

83.2%

BA or Higher

13.1%

Graduate+

5.6%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$77,200

Median Renti

$818

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

58.9%232

Renter-Occupied

41.1%162

Total Units

480

Homeownership

58.9%

Vacancy Rate

17.9%

Home Values

Under $50K

19%44

$50K–$100K

43.1%100

$100K–$150K

15.1%35

$150K–$200K

6%14

$200K–$300K

6.9%16

$300K–$500K

9.9%23

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

$1,000–$1,250

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

Year Built

2020 or later

4.8%23

2010–2019

1.9%9

2000–2009

5.6%27

1990–1999

27.1%130

1980–1989

9.4%45

1970–1979

9.2%44

1960–1969

4.8%23

1950–1959

9.6%46

1940–1949

22.3%107

1939 or earlier

5.4%26

Heating Fuel

Electricity

76.6%302

Bottled/LP Gas

16.8%66

Fuel Oil

3.6%14

Utility Gas

1%4

Other

1%4

Wood

0.5%2

Solar

0.5%2

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$42,105

Mean Household Incomei

$74,499

Per Capita Incomei

$29,735

Poverty Ratei

26.5%

Unemploymenti

17.5%

Labor Forcei

411

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

14.5%57

$10K–$15K

3%12

$15K–$20K

2%8

$20K–$25K

7.6%30

$25K–$30K

6.1%24

$30K–$35K

6.3%25

$35K–$40K

6.3%25

$40K–$45K

6.6%26

$45K–$50K

4.3%17

$50K–$60K

10.9%43

$60K–$75K

7.4%29

$75K–$100K

6.9%27

$100K–$125K

9.6%38

$125K–$150K

0.5%2

$150K–$200K

1.8%7

$200K+

6.1%24

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

Residentsi

Avg. Tenant Renti

$228/mo

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers19 homes61% occupied$280/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 828 homes82% occupied$192/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC2 homes

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $42,105/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $13K/yr

93.4%

Very low income$13K–$21K/yr

3.6%

Low income$21K–$34K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

89.8% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

100% of subsidized households are minority

10.8% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

17.5% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

315

Avg. Commutei

18.6 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

339

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

49(7.1% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

89.7%Insured

10.3%Uninsured