Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the most populous city in and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest satellite city of the Charlotte area, behind Concord. The population was 80,411 in the 2020 census, up from 71,741 in 2010. Gastonia is the 13th-most populous city in North Carolina. It is part of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC Combined Statistical Area.
Gastonia | |
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Downtown Gastonia | |
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Flag Seal Logo | |
| Nickname: Spindle City | |
| Motto: "Great Place. Great People. Great Promise." | |
Gastonia Gastonia | |
| Coordinates: 35°14′57″N 81°11′08″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Gaston |
| Incorporated | 1877 |
| Named for | William Gaston |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager |
| • Mayor | Richard Franks (R) |
| 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 (2022) | 82,653 |
| • Density | 1,546.66/sq mi (597.17/km2) |
| • Urban | 176,897 (US: 208th) |
| • Urban density | 1,420.0/sq mi (548.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 28052-28056 |
| Area code(s) | 704, 980 |
| FIPS code | 37-25580 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403684 |
| Website | www |
The city is a historic center for textile manufacturing and was the site of the Loray 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 well-developed healthcare, education, and government sectors.