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Gastonia, NC

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Gastonia, NC

Gastonia is the most populous city in and the county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest satellite city in 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.

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.

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. Gastonia occupies 14% of the total area of Gaston County. Gastonia is approximately 21 miles (34 km) west of Charlotte, 22 miles (35 km) east of Shelby, and 37 miles (60 km) south of Hickory.

Gastonia is named for William Gaston, a jurist and United States Representative from North Carolina.

The Loray Mill strike occurred in Gastonia in 1929. The role of organizers for the Communist Party-affiliated National Textile Workers Union (NTWU) alienated religious leaders in Gastonia, who denounced the organizers' ideology, undermining support for the strike. The strike collapsed after the death of Gastonia's police chief, Orville Alderholt, which led to a murder trial of several militants including NTWU chief organizer Fred Beal. Beal was convicted of 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.

The City 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, and William J. Wilson House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Interstate 85 (I-85) links Gastonia directly with Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, and Petersburg/Richmond (to the northeast) and Spartanburg, Greenville, Atlanta, and Montgomery (to the southwest). Gastonia's transportation network is supplemented by one additional freeway (US 321), the freeway portion of which directly connects Gastonia with transcontinental I-40 and the city of Hickory, 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 and Wilmington (east), and Asheville and Cherokee (to the west). US 321 links Gastonia to central South Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwest North Carolina. State highways include NC 7, NC 274, NC 275 and NC 279.

Gastonia places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with several healthcare facilities serving the community. One prominent institution is CaroMont Regional Medical Center, providing a range of medical services and ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Gastonia Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include  Ultimate Fitness, Body Balance Fitness, and The OR Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Gastonia, such as the Backside Trail and Shorts Lake Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top Sites in Gastonia, NC are the Schiele Museum of Natural History, Rankin Lake Park, and Crowders Mountain State Park.

Population: 80,411 (2020). ZIP Codes: 28054. Area code: 704. Elevation: 738 ft (225 m). Area: 52.22 sq mi (135.24 km²).

FAQs

What is Gastonia, NC famous for?

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. Gastonia is named for William Gaston, a jurist and United States Representative from North Carolina.

What is the race population in Gastonia, NC?

Gastonia, NC is home to a population of 80.6k people, of which 96.6% are citizens. As of 2022, 6.59% of Gastonia, NC residents were born outside of the country (5.31k people). In 2022, there were 1.81 times more White (non-Hispanic) residents (43.3k people) in Gastonia, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 23.9k Black or African American (non-Hispanic) and 3.56k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the crime rate in Gastonia, NC?

With a crime rate of 47 per one thousand residents, Gastonia has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 21. Within North Carolina, more than 94% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Gastonia.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Gastonia

CaroMont Regional Medical Center

Gastonia Parks and Recreation Department

Ultimate Fitness

Body Balance Fitness 

The OR Fitness

Backside Trail 

Shorts Lake Trail

Schiele Museum of Natural History

Rankin Lake Park

Crowders Mountain State Park

DataUSA

Neighborhoodscout

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