Gaston County, North Carolina

Gaston County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina of the United States. In 2000, the County had 190 365 inhabitants and a population density of 206 inhabitants per square kilometer. The administrative headquarters ( County Seat) is Gastonia.

Geography

The County is located in southwestern North Carolina, on the south by South Carolina and has an area of 942 square kilometers, of which 19 square kilometers are water surface. It is bordered clockwise to the following counties: Lincoln County, Mecklenburg County and Cleveland County.

Gaston County is divided into six townships: Cherryville, Crowders Mountain, Dallas, Gastonia, Riverbend and South Point.

History

Gaston County was formed in 1846 from parts of Anson County. It was named, as is the district capital of Gastonia, according to William Gaston, a member of the Congress of the United States and Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Demography

1900-1990 2000

According to the census of 2000, there were 190 365 people in Gaston County. Of these, 3,091 people lived in collective centers, the other inhabitants living in 73 936 households and 53 307 families. The population density was 206 people per square kilometer. The racial the population was made ​​up of 82.98 percent White, 13.87 percent Black or African American, 0.28 percent Native American, 0.95 percent Asian, 0.03 percent of residents from the Pacific Islander and 1.03 percent from other races groups; 0.87 percent were descended from two or more races. 3.00 percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 73 936 households out of which 32.0 percent of children under the age of 18 living with them. 54.2 percent were married couples living together, 13.2 percent were single mothers and 27.9 percent were non-families. 23.3 percent of all households and 8.8 percent living alone who is 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.97.

24.6 percent of the population were under 18 years old. 8.2 percent 18 to 24 years 31.0 percent between 25 and 44, 23.5 percent between 45 and 64, and 12.6 percent were 65 years old or older. The average age was 36 years. In all females there were 93.7 males. In all women aged 18 and over, 90.7 males.

The median income for a household (median) was $ 39 482, and the median income for a family $ 46,271. Males had a median income of $ 33,542, women $ 23,876. The per capita income was $ 19,225. 10.9 percent of the population and 8.3 percent of families are below the poverty line. This included 14.5 percent of children and adolescents under 18 years and 11.1 percent of persons aged 65 and over.