Gastonia | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Gastonia | |
 Flag  Seal  Logo | |
| Nickname: Spindle City | |
| Motto: "Great Place. Great People. Great Promise." | |
  Gastonia  Gastonia | |
| Coordinates:35°14′57″N81°11′08″W / 35.24917°N 81.18556°W /35.24917; -81.18556 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Gaston |
| Incorporated | 1877 |
| Named after | William Gaston |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager[1] |
| • Mayor | Richard Franks (R)[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 52.22 sq mi (135.24 km2) |
| • Land | 51.99 sq mi (134.65 km2) |
| • Water | 0.23 sq mi (0.59 km2) 0.44% |
| Elevation | 738 ft (225 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 80,411 |
• Estimate (2023) | 83,942 |
| • Density | 1,546.7/sq mi (597.17/km2) |
| • Urban | 176,897 (US:208th)[5] |
| • Urban density | 1,420/sq mi (548.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 28052–28056 |
| Area codes | 704, 980 |
| FIPS code | 37-25580[6] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403684[4] |
| Website | www |
Gastonia is thecounty seat ofGaston County, North Carolina, United States. The most populous city in the county and the13th-most populous city in North Carolina, the population was 80,411 at the2020 census.[7][8] It is part of theCharlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of theCharlotte-Concord, NC-SC Combined Statistical Area.[9]
The city is a historic center for textile manufacturing and was the site of theLoray Mill Strike of 1929, which became a key event in the labor movement. While manufacturing remains important to the local economy, the city also has healthcare, education, and government sectors.
Gastonia is named forWilliam Gaston, a jurist andUnited States Representative fromNorth Carolina.[10]
TheLoray Mill strike occurred in Gastonia in 1929. The role of organizers for Communist Party-affiliated National Textile Workers Union (NTWU) alienated religious leaders in Gastonia, who denounced the organizers' ideology, undermining support for the strike.[11] The strike collapsed after the death of Gastonia's police chief, Orville Alderholt, led to a murder trial of several militants including NTWU chief organizerFred Beal.[12] Beal was convicted in the killing but fled to the Soviet Union. The strike largely failed in attaining its goals of better working conditions and wages, and the American labor movement was never able to gain a foothold among textile workers in Gastonia. The strike, however, became for a while an international cause célèbre, figuring in several novels published in the 1930s.
TheCity Hospital-Gaston Memorial Hospital,Craig Farmstead,Downtown Gastonia Historic District,First National Bank Building, Gaston County Courthouse,Gastonia High School,David Jenkins House,Loray Mill Historic District,Robinson-Gardner Building,Third National Bank Building, andWilliam J. Wilson House are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[13][14]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 52.22 square miles (135.2 km2), of which 51.99 square miles (134.7 km2) is land and 0.23 square miles (0.60 km2) (0.44%) is water.[3] Gastonia occupies 14% of the total area of Gaston County. Gastonia is approximately 21 miles (34 km) west ofCharlotte, 22 miles (35 km) east ofShelby, and 37 miles (60 km) south ofHickory.
| Climate data for Gastonia, North Carolina (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 52.7 (11.5) | 57.0 (13.9) | 64.7 (18.2) | 73.8 (23.2) | 80.5 (26.9) | 87.3 (30.7) | 90.7 (32.6) | 89.2 (31.8) | 84.0 (28.9) | 74.3 (23.5) | 63.8 (17.7) | 55.6 (13.1) | 72.8 (22.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 42.1 (5.6) | 45.6 (7.6) | 52.6 (11.4) | 61.8 (16.6) | 69.4 (20.8) | 77.0 (25.0) | 80.5 (26.9) | 79.2 (26.2) | 73.6 (23.1) | 62.7 (17.1) | 51.9 (11.1) | 45.0 (7.2) | 61.8 (16.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 31.4 (−0.3) | 34.1 (1.2) | 40.4 (4.7) | 49.7 (9.8) | 58.3 (14.6) | 66.7 (19.3) | 70.2 (21.2) | 69.1 (20.6) | 63.3 (17.4) | 51.0 (10.6) | 40.0 (4.4) | 34.5 (1.4) | 50.7 (10.4) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.84 (98) | 3.27 (83) | 3.55 (90) | 3.51 (89) | 3.54 (90) | 4.29 (109) | 3.55 (90) | 4.55 (116) | 3.69 (94) | 3.39 (86) | 3.02 (77) | 3.75 (95) | 43.95 (1,117) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.9 (2.3) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.3 (0.76) | 1.2 (3.06) |
| Source: NOAA[15] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 236 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,033 | 337.7% | |
| 1900 | 4,610 | 346.3% | |
| 1910 | 5,759 | 24.9% | |
| 1920 | 12,871 | 123.5% | |
| 1930 | 17,093 | 32.8% | |
| 1940 | 21,313 | 24.7% | |
| 1950 | 23,069 | 8.2% | |
| 1960 | 37,276 | 61.6% | |
| 1970 | 47,322 | 27.0% | |
| 1980 | 47,218 | −0.2% | |
| 1990 | 54,732 | 15.9% | |
| 2000 | 66,277 | 21.1% | |
| 2010 | 71,741 | 8.2% | |
| 2020 | 80,411 | 12.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 83,942 | [8] | 4.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[16] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[17] | Pop 2010[18] | Pop 2020[19] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 44,615 | 42,614 | 40,855 | 67.32% | 59.40% | 50.81% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 16,520 | 19,661 | 24,334 | 24.93% | 27.41% | 30.26% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 118 | 201 | 216 | 0.18% | 0.28% | 0.27% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 765 | 956 | 1,389 | 1.15% | 1.33% | 1.73% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 13 | 7 | 17 | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 67 | 145 | 329 | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.41% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 566 | 1,256 | 3,100 | 0.85% | 1.75% | 3.86% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3,613 | 6,901 | 10,171 | 5.45% | 9.62% | 12.65% |
| Total | 66,277 | 74,741 | 80,411 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 census, there were 80,411 people, 27,796 households, and 18,361 families residing in the city.
At the2010 census,[20] there were 71,741 people, 27,770 households, and 18,599 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,420.6 inhabitants per square mile (548.5/km2). There were 31,238 housing units at an average density of 618.6 per square mile (238.8/km2). The racial composition of the city was 62.8%White, 27.5%Black orAfrican American, 2.0%Asian, 0.4%Native American, 5.2%some other race, and 3.0%two or more races. 9.7% of the population wereHispanic orLatino American of any race.[21]
As of the 2010 census, there were 27,770 households, out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were headed bymarried couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52, and the average family size was 3.05.[21]
In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.[21]
In 2011 the estimated median income for a household in the city was $36,881, and the median income for a family was $44,576. Male full-time workers had a median income of $38,151 versus $29,590 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $19,277. 20.9% of the population and 18.3% of families were below thepoverty line. 32.5% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.[22]
| Offense | Gastonia (2009) | per 100,000 people[23] |
|---|---|---|
| Murder | 5 | 7.2 |
| Rape | 28 | 38.8 |
| Robbery | 220 | 118.1 |
| Assault | 345 | 854.6 |
| Burglary | 1,059 | 831.6 |
| Theft | 3,187 | 3,383.9 |
| Arson | 35 | 14.4 |
Many shutdowns and job losses have plagued Gastonia over the past decade. Gastonia maintains a relatively strong manufacturing workforce, but many workers are laid off and many more are facing job losses. The city had an unemployment rate of 7.9% as of 2010; 12,536 of the 71,341 residents lived and worked in the city, with a daytime population change of +10,610. The city is the international corporate headquarters for textile company Parkdale Mills, the number one manufacturer ofspun yarn in the world.[24] The company also operated two production facilities in Gastonia and several in surrounding communities. Parkdale, like many other companies, has closed plants and moved production to other countries.
Other manufacturers in Gastonia include Wix Filtration Corp.,Freightliner Trucks, Stabilus,Curtiss-Wright Controls Engineered Systems andRadici Group. Other major employers include the City of Gastonia and Gaston County governments, theGaston County Schools system,CaroMont Regional Medical Center, and retailersWalmart andAdvance Auto Parts, with two and six stores (plus a distribution center) respectively.[25]
Gastonia and the surrounding areas feature several notable attractions.
TheSchiele Museum of Natural History features a number of permanent exhibits, including the Hall of North Carolina Natural History and the Henry Hall of the American Indian.[26] The museum is also home to the James H. Lynn Planetarium, the onlyplanetarium in the Charlotte area.[27]
TheDaniel Stowe Conservancy is located just southeast of the city inBelmont onNC 279.
TheU.S. National Whitewater Center (on theCatawba River) is located east of the city in neighboringMecklenburg County.[citation needed]
Crowders Mountain State Park is located west of the city, nearKings Mountain. The park offers a number of hiking trails, as well as campgrounds, picnic areas, rock climbing, and fishing.[28]
Eastridge Mall, located at exit 20 on North New Hope Road, is the only indoor regional mall in the area. The mall is home to two anchors and over 80 specialty stores, a full-service food court and other services.
Downtown Gastonia Historic District has undergone a revitalization with many locally owned businesses. This has created a unique atmosphere of local shopping experiences with events centered around the community.
There are also a few more shopping centers across the city with other well-known national and local retailers.
TheGastonia Ghost Peppers of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball, a partner ofMajor League Baseball, began to play in 2024 atCaroMont Health Park, which is part of the Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment (FUSE) District. TheGastonia Honey Hunters, also in the Atlantic League, played there from 2021 to 2023. Before the Honey Hunters' arrival, theGastonia Grizzlies, aCoastal Plain League summer collegiate wood-bat team, played atSims Legion Park from 2002 to 2020.
Gastonia was home tominor league baseball, hosting theGastonia Cardinals. The Cardinals played as members of theClass D level 1938North Carolina State League and theTar Heel League in 1939 and 1940, winning the 1939 league championship. Decades later, a second Cardinals team played from 1977 to 1982 as members of theClass A levelWestern Carolinas League andSouth Atlantic League, winning the 1977 league championship.[29] The Cardinals teams hosted home games from 1938 to 1940 at theGastonia High School Stadium[30] and Sims Legion Park.[31]
The Gastonia Gargoyles playrugby at Gaston County's North Belmont Park. The team is part of the Carolinas Geographical Union (CGU) and plays Division IV men's social rugby. The club plays in the fall (August - November) and spring (Feb - May) seasons. The club also hosts an annual rugby 7's tournament inClover, South Carolina, during the Clover Scottish Games on the first or second Saturday in June.
Gastonia's tworoller derby teams are the G*Force (senior team) and Mini*Gs (junior team). Bouts take place at Kate's Skating Rink on Hudson Blvd.[32]
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The city is served by theGastonia Police Department, theGaston County Police Department, and theGaston County Sheriff's Office. Additionally, theGaston College Police has jurisdiction over the city, but rarely patrols outside of theGaston College campus.
The Gastonia Fire Department established in 1901 is led by Chief Phil Welch. The FD consists of eight fire stations spread throughout the communities within the City limits. The Gastonia Fire Department maintains 145 full-time firefighters working 3 24-hour shifts. The Life Safety division has a Fire Marshal and four inspectors,the Administration consists of the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, Training Chief, and two Administrative assistants.
Gaston County EMS (GEMS) is the county ambulance service.
All public K–12 schools in Gaston County, including the city of Gastonia, are part of theGaston County Schools (GCS). GCS operates schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
There are five public high schools in Gastonia:Ashbrook High School,Forestview High School,Hunter Huss High School,Highland School of Technology, andWarlick Academy, the alternative placement school. Students from outlying parts of Gastonia also attendStuart W. Cramer High School,North Gaston High School, andBessemer City High School.
Private schools are also available in the city.Gaston Day School andGaston Christian School are among various private schools offered in the Gastonia area.
Gastonia also has a charter school, Piedmont Community Charter School, that serves K–12 grade students. Currently the school has an Elementary campus along with a Secondary campus. A new High School campus is presently under construction. The new campus is set to open for the 2020–2021 school year.[33]
Although there are no colleges or universities within the city limits of Gastonia, higher education is well represented in the greater Gastonia area. Gaston County is home toBelmont Abbey College (Belmont; four-year) andGaston College (Dallas,Lincolnton (Lincoln County), and Belmont; two-year).
The Gaston County Public Library has three locations in the city.[34]
The Gaston Gazette is Gastonia's main newspaper. It is published daily, and covers Gastonia city, Gaston County, and surrounding areas.The Charlotte Observer (North Carolina's largest newspaper) is also available, citywide.
Gastonia is served by numerous FM and AM radio stations, mainly based in nearby Charlotte. The city has one licensed AM station:WGNC 1450 AM; it has two licensed FM stations: WGNC 101.1FM andWBAV 101.9 FM.
Interstate 85 (I-85) links Gastonia directly withCharlotte,Greensboro,Durham, andPetersburg/Richmond (to the northeast) andSpartanburg,Greenville,Atlanta andMontgomery (to the southwest). Gastonia's transportation network is supplemented by one additional freeway (US 321), the freeway portion of which directly connects Gastonia with transcontinentalI-40 and the city ofHickory, 35 miles (56 km) north of Gastonia.
Gastonia is also served by three federal highways:US 29,US 74 (US 29 and US 74 follow the same route through the city), and US 321. US 29 parallels I-85 through the Carolinas, while US 74 provides direct east–west links to Charlotte andWilmington (east), andAsheville andCherokee (to the west). US 321 links Gastonia to central South Carolina and theBlue Ridge Mountains in northwest North Carolina. State highways include:NC 7,NC 274,NC 275 andNC 279.
Franklin Boulevard, Garrison Boulevard, Hudson Boulevard and Ozark/Long/Airline/Gaston Avenues are major east–west city thoroughfares. New Hope Road, Chester Street/York Road, and Marietta Street/Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, are major north–south city thoroughfares.
Gastonia Transit (GT) is Gastonia's city transit provider. The bus service operates on a fixed-route system covering most of the city and stops are clearly visible around town. Buses run Monday-Saturday, and transfer downtown Gastonia at theBradley Station. Regular fare is $1.00, transfers are free.
Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is Gastonia's commuter provider to Charlotte. The Gastonia Express (Route 85X) offers Monday-Friday bus service to/from uptown Charlotte, via the Bradley Station. One-way fare to/from uptown Charlotte is $4.40; transfer is free when transferring to any other CATS services.
Greyhound Lines serves the city. Alongside Gastonia Transit, Greyhound utilizes downtown's Bradley Station.
Amtrak'sCrescent (trains 19, 20) connects Gastonia (GAS) with the cities of (to the north)New York,Philadelphia,Baltimore,Washington, and Charlotte, and (to the south) Atlanta,Birmingham, andNew Orleans. The unstaffedAmtrak station is situated at 350 Hancock Street.
General service:Gastonia Municipal Airport (AKH) handles most of the city's private air service needs. It is located in the southeast part of the city on Gaston Day School Road, off NC 274 (Union Road).
Commercial service:Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT) provides the city with a major domestic/international gateway and is located 18 miles (29 km) east, in Charlotte.American Airlines has the airline's second largest hub operation at Charlotte.
Gastonia has twosister cities:
Gotha was Gastonia's first sister city in 1994. Santiago de Surco became an official partner in March 2004. Mayor Jennie Stultz visited Gotha in 2007. In December 2007, the mayor of Santiago de Surco visited for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in the Rotary Pavilion. He was invited to light the tree along with one of the city's councilmen.
Geographic data related toGastonia, North Carolina atOpenStreetMapMunicipalities and communities ofGaston County, North Carolina,United States | ||
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