Gaston County

Here are high-level, recent demographics for Gaston County, NC.

Population

• Total: ~233,000 (2023 Census Population Estimates; 2020 Census count: 227,943)

Age

• Median age: ~40 years
• Under 18: ~23%
• 18–64: ~60%
• 65 and over: ~17%

Gender

• Female: ~51.5%
• Male: ~48.5%

Race/ethnicity (Hispanic origin shown separately; ACS 2019–2023)

• White, non-Hispanic: ~70%
• Black/African American, non-Hispanic: ~18%
• Hispanic/Latino (any race): ~8%
• Asian, non-Hispanic: ~1–2%
• Two or more races, non-Hispanic: ~2–3%
• Other (incl. American Indian/Alaska Native, NHPI), non-Hispanic: ~1%

Households (ACS 2019–2023)

• Households: ~90,000
• Average household size: ~2.6
• Family households: ~68%
• Homeownership rate: ~69–70%
• Median household income: about $63k–$66k (2023 dollars)

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (2023) and American Community Survey (2019–2023 5-year). Figures rounded; percentages may not sum to 100.

Gaston County, NC (pop. ≈230–235k) likely has about 175–185k email users.

Age distribution (adoption rates, inferred from U.S./NC patterns):

• 18–29: ~95% use email
• 30–49: ~96–98%
• 50–64: ~90–93%
• 65+: ~80–85% Teens (13–17): ~80–90% use email (school-centric).

Gender split: Roughly even; men and women use email at similar rates (~50/50 of users).

Digital access trends:

• Broadband at home: About 85–90% of households subscribe (cable/DSL/fiber), with higher adoption in the I‑85 corridor and lower in rural pockets.
• Device access: 90%+ of households have a computer and/or smartphone; a notable minority are smartphone‑only, especially among lower‑income households.
• Mobile networks: Strong 4G/5G coverage from major carriers in and around Gastonia, Belmont, and Mount Holly; coverage thins in less‑dense western/southern areas.
• Public access: Libraries, schools, and municipal Wi‑Fi bolster connectivity for those without home broadband.

Local density/connectivity facts:

• Population density ≈600–650 per square mile overall; densest along I‑85 (Gastonia urban area), where cable and fiber options are most available.
• Rural areas face fewer wireline options, contributing to modestly lower email adoption among older and lower‑income residents.

Mobile phone usage in Gaston County, NC — 2025 snapshot

Top-line estimates

• Population base: ~235,000 residents.
• Mobile phone users (any mobile): 195,000–210,000 (≈83–89% of residents).
• Smartphone users: 175,000–190,000 (≈74–81% of residents; ≈86–89% of adults).
• Lines per person: roughly 1.1–1.2 due to work/IoT/secondary lines.

How Gaston differs from North Carolina overall

• More prepaid/MVNO use: 38–42% of lines vs ~30–33% statewide, reflecting lower median income and strong Cricket/Metro/Boost presence.
• Slightly lower iPhone share: iOS ~48–52% vs ~55–58% statewide; Android correspondingly higher, especially west of I‑85.
• Seniors trail more: smartphone adoption among 65+ ~72–76% vs ~78–82% statewide.
• More mobile-only households: 24–28% rely on mobile data as primary home internet vs ~19–22% statewide.
• Higher 5G fixed wireless uptake: 16–20% of home internet subscriptions via 5G FWA (T‑Mobile/Verizon) vs ~10–13% statewide, due to patchy fiber in western precincts.
• Commute-driven congestion: sharper peak slowdowns along I‑85 and Wilkinson Blvd than typical NC counties without a major commuter corridor.

Demographic breakdown (modeled estimates)

• Age
  • 18–29: smartphone 96–98%; heavy app/social/video usage.
  • 30–49: 93–96%; high multi-line (work + personal).
  • 50–64: 85–89%; larger Android share than state average.
  • 65+: 72–76%; text/voice first; rising use of large-screen Androids and basic LTE flip phones.
• Income
  • Households < $50k more prevalent than NC average; prepaid and budget Android devices over-index.
  • Upgrade cycle longer (≈3.0–3.3 years vs 2.7–3.0 statewide); higher refurbished/used device penetration.
• Race/ethnicity
  • Black and Hispanic residents show above-average mobile-only home internet reliance (cost-driven), similar to national patterns.
• Urban/suburban vs rural
  • East (Belmont, Mount Holly, Cramerton, Gastonia core): higher iPhone share, better mid-band 5G, higher work-phone penetration.
  • West/northwest (Bessemer City, Dallas, Cherryville, High Shoals): more prepaid, more Android, more LTE fallback.

Digital infrastructure snapshot

• Coverage and technology
  • 5G population coverage: roughly 94–96% countywide.
  • Mid-band 5G (fast 2.5 GHz/C-band): strong along I‑85 corridor (Belmont–Gastonia–Bessemer City) and municipal centers; spottier west/northwest.
  • LTE remains primary in valleys and around Crowders Mountain State Park; terrain causes shadowing.
• Carriers (practical experience ranges)
  • T‑Mobile: broadest mid-band 5G footprint; typical 5G median 150–250 Mbps in the corridor; solid FWA footprint.
  • Verizon: strong LTE and expanding C-band along I‑85; 5G median ~80–180 Mbps in urban/suburban zones; good building penetration.
  • AT&T: reliable corridor coverage; C-band still infilling; FirstNet coverage prioritized near public-safety sites.
• Performance patterns
  • Peak-hour slowdowns: I‑85, US‑321, and NC‑7 see notable capacity strain weekday rush hours; venues and school zones create localized hot spots.
  • Indoor coverage issues in older mill buildings; Band 12/13/71 low-band helps but mid-band capacity may not penetrate well.
• Fixed broadband overlap
  • Spectrum cable is widespread; AT&T fiber concentrated east/southeast; limited fiber west of Gastonia.
  • 5G FWA fills gaps in west/northwest precincts; take-up notably higher than NC average.

Behavioral and market trends to watch

• Post-ACP affordability shift: The 2024 wind-down of Affordable Connectivity subsidies pushed some households to prepaid or mobile-only internet; expect elevated churn and plan downgrades vs state.
• Eastward suburban growth (Belmont/Mount Holly/Cramerton) nudges the county toward higher iPhone share and higher data consumption, narrowing but not closing the gap with NC.
• Device mix stabilizing: more midrange Android 5G models; eSIM adoption growing but lags Triangle/Mecklenburg.
• Average mobile data per line: roughly 28–35 GB/month, a bit higher than NC average in FWA/mobile-only homes.

Notes on method

• Estimates combine county demographics (ACS), national/state mobile adoption (e.g., Pew, CTIA), FCC coverage filings, and observed carrier build patterns in the Charlotte metro. Figures are modeled for 2025 conditions and expressed as ranges to reflect uncertainty at the county level.

Below is a concise, localizable snapshot for Gaston County, NC. Figures are estimates, modeled from Pew Research Center’s 2024 U.S. social media benchmarks, adjusted to Gaston County’s suburban age/gender mix and population (~235k).

Headline user stats

• Estimated social media users (13+): 160,000–170,000
• Share of residents (13+) using social media: ~75–80%
• Adult users (18+): ~145,000–155,000

Most-used platforms (share of residents 13+; at least monthly)

• YouTube: 82–86%
• Facebook: 70–74%
• Instagram: 48–52%
• TikTok: 38–42%
• Snapchat: 30–34%
• Pinterest: 30–34%
• LinkedIn: 24–28%
• X (Twitter): 20–24%
• WhatsApp: 18–22%
• Reddit: 18–22%
• Nextdoor: 16–20%

Age mix of local social media users (approx. share of users)

• 13–17: 9–10% (heavy on YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat; light on Facebook)
• 18–29: 22–24% (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok; Snapchat/Messenger for DM)
• 30–49: 36–38% (Facebook, YouTube; Instagram growing; LinkedIn for commuters/pros)
• 50–64: 22–24% (Facebook, YouTube; Pinterest common)
• 65+: 10–12% (Facebook primary; rising YouTube; some Nextdoor)

Gender breakdown (users)

• Overall: ~52–54% women, ~46–48% men
• Skews: Women overindex on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Nextdoor; men on YouTube, Reddit, X.

Behavioral trends (local patterns)

• Facebook is the community hub: high engagement with Groups (neighborhoods, schools, youth sports, buy/sell/trade), Marketplace, local government and public safety updates.
• Short-form video is mainstream: Reels/TikTok for local food, events, and family activities in Gastonia, Belmont, Cramerton, Mount Holly.
• YouTube is the utility channel: how-to/home projects, local news recaps, high school sports highlights, church services.
• Messaging-first for younger users: Snapchat/Instagram DMs drive daily communication; public posting is less frequent than private sharing.
• Nextdoor is used for HOA issues, lost/found, crime/safety, local services; participation varies by neighborhood.
• Content style: “Local-first” performs best—events, deals, openings, road/utility updates, weather alerts. Authentic photos/video outperform polished ads.
• Shopping and offers: Facebook/Instagram drive local retail and restaurant traffic; Marketplace is strong for secondhand and services.
• Timing: Evenings (7–10 pm) and weekend mid-days see above-average engagement; commuter windows boost mobile scrolling.
• Trust cues: Residents rely on city/county/schools, churches, and known local media; political content is engaged but polarizing.

Notes and methods

• County-level platform stats aren’t published; figures are inferred from Pew Research Center 2024 U.S. social media usage, Census/ACS demographics for Gaston County, and suburban platform skews in the Southeast. Consider a quick local survey or platform audience tools to tighten estimates for specific campaigns.