Gastonia, North Carolina Income Statistics
Gastonia Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
Gastonia Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Gastonia | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $61,933 | $72,438 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,227 | $54,489 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.2% | 5.2% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 8.3% | 11.9% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 5.9% | 10.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Gastonia is about 15% lower than in North Carolina. Income has been growing faster in Gastonia (5.2%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.2%/yr).
About 8% of adults in Gastonia earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the North Carolina average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Gastonia, North Carolina grew by 61.2% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $61,933 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.2% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Gastonia
| Metric | Gastonia | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.537 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $56,355 | $63,136 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $48,047 | $52,579 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 14.7% | 16.7% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Gastonia, it is 0.537, lower than North Carolina's 0.547, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 17% more than women's income in Gastonia, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 17% wage gap accumulates to roughly $290,780 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Gastonia, North Carolina has narrowed from about 18% to 15% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 23% in 2012, and was narrowest at 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,167 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Gastonia | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.2% | 16.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 2,262 people are unemployed in Gastonia, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Gastonia is 22 minutes, longer than the 21 minutes in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Gastonia, North Carolina has fallen from 13.7% to 5.8% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 14.4% in 2013 and fell as low as 5.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Gastonia, North Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with North Carolina, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Gastonia, North Carolina.
How Rich Is Gastonia, North Carolina?
Gastonia has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $61,933, about 15% lower than the North Carolina average of $72,438.
How fast is household income rising in Gastonia, North Carolina?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Gastonia, North Carolina rose 61%, from $38,424 to $61,933. Over the same years, income here kept pace with North Carolina as a whole: +61% against +61%.
What was the median household income in Gastonia in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Gastonia, North Carolina was $59,078, up 5% from $56,404 in 2022. The North Carolina median that year was $69,937.
What was the median household income in Gastonia in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Gastonia, North Carolina was $47,981. By 2024 it had risen 29% to $61,933.
What is the Gini coefficient in Gastonia, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Gastonia is 0.537. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Gastonia, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Gastonia, North Carolina has narrowed from about 18% to 15% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 23% in 2012, and was narrowest at 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,167 since 2009.
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