Gaston County, North Carolina
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| Gaston County, North Carolina | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of North Carolina |
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| Statistics | |
| Formed | 1846 |
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| Seat | Gastonia |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
942 km² (364 mi²) 923 km² (356 mi²) 19 km² (7 mi²), 2.02% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
190,365 206/km² |
| Website: www.co.gaston.nc.us | |
Gaston County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 190,365. Its county seat is Gastonia6.
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[edit] History
Originally, the area today called Gaston County was part of Anson County in 1750, and subsequently seceded to the newly formed Mecklenburg County in 1762. Six years later, the area was again redistricted, to the short-lived Tryon County until 1779, at which time it was incorporated into Lincoln County. Lincoln County was divided in 1846, and its southern half was renamed Gaston for William Gaston (from which Gastonia also takes its name), a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1813 to 1817, and a judge of the North Carolina Supreme Court from 1833 to 1844.
Tensions between the earliest European settlers and the Native Americans were eased considerably when the dispute over the boundary between North Carolina and South Carolina was settled in 1772, after which most of the local Native Americans settled on a reservation in South Carolina. Most early farms were small, cultivated primarily by white yeoman farmers. North Carolina's colonial policy of restricted the size of land grants, and in Gaston County they tended to be about 400 acres each. One of the earliest grants in the area was given to Captain Samuel Cobrin, commander of a local militia company, on September 29, 1750.
[edit] German influence
German pioneers began settling Gaston County in the mid 17th century and establishing homesteads after migrating southward from the Shenandoah Valley and beyond, via the Great Wagon Road. German settlers established themselves in clusters of independent farmsteads linked by extended family connections and by participation in Lutheran, Reformed, or German Baptist (Dunker) congregations.
By 1790 it is estimated 10 to 30 percent of the greater Piedmont population of North Carolina was of German origin, and modern-day Gaston County had an even higher concentration. Outnumbered by English and Scotch-Irish neighbors, the Germans were perceived as a distinct group, and many of them strove to maintain German culture and ways. The use of the German language continued well into the 19th century, with a period of transition from German to bilingual, with predominant English usage established between 1825 and 1850. In the late 18th century, German dominated in many churches and families; by the 1835, sermons in Reformed and Lutheran congregations were often preached in both languages. By the late 19th century, German all but disappeared.
Similar patterns appeared in architecture. Traditional German construction methods-- often the work of artisans trained in the fatherland-- usually prevailed from the 1750s through the 1780s. The successive decades until the 1820s saw a blending of Germanic traditions and mainstream stylistic developments. Finally, from the 1820s to the Civil War, as popular national ideals homogenized much of the American culture, German descended families acceded to these trends.
[edit] Points of interest
The Peter Hoyle House is the oldest extant structure in Gaston County, located on the Dallas-Stanley Highway. It was built around 1760 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden covers 110 acres in the South Point area of Gaston County, on South New Hope Road.
The Gaston County Museum is located in the town of Dallas, North Carolina.
The Schiele Museum and Planetarium is a noteworthy science museum and planetarium located in Gastonia that features both permanent and tourning exhibits.
The Crowder's Mountain State Park, where Raptors soar gracefully in the wind; vegetation reaches to the sky; sheer vertical cliffs drop 150 feet. Enjoy the spectacle from a front-row seat. High atop Crowders Mountain, the highest point in Gaston County, views stretch for more than 20 miles.
The U.S. National Whitewater Center is a world-class recreation and training facility that will play host to Olympic-caliber athletes and weekend warriors alike. Set among 300 wooded acres along the scenic Catawba River, the multiuse facility has a climbing center, mountain-biking trails and running trails, all within minutes of our hotels, restaurants and shopping.
Christmas Town, USA - McAdenville, North Carolina - Each December, hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights turn this small mill town into a spectacular holiday display. Visitors stroll down Main Street surrounded by the sights and sounds of Christmas.
[edit] Law and government
Gaston County is a member of the regional Centralina Council of Governments.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 942 km² (364 mi²). 923 km² (356 mi²) of it is land and 19 km² (7 mi²) of it (2.02%) is water.
[edit] Townships
The county is divided into six townships: Cherryville, Crowders Mountain, Dallas, Gastonia, Riverbend, and South Point.
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Lincoln County, North Carolina - north
- Mecklenburg County, North Carolina - east
- York County, South Carolina - south
- Cleveland County, North Carolina - west
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 190,365 people, 73,936 households, and 53,307 families residing in the county. The population density was 206/km² (534/mi²). There were 78,842 housing units at an average density of 85/km² (221/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.98% White, 13.87% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.03% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 3.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 73,936 households out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 13.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 31.00% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,482, and the median income for a family was $46,271. Males had a median income of $33,542 versus $23,876 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,225. About 8.30% of families and 10.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.50% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Cities and towns
- Belmont
- Bessemer City
- Cherryville
- Cramerton
- Dallas
- Dellview
- Gastonia
- High Shoals
- Lowell
- McAdenville
- Mount Holly
- Ranlo
- Spencer Mountain
- Stanley
