Gastonia, NC Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Gastonia, NC: What You Need to Know

Gastonia, the government seat of Gaston County, is located in the central part of North Carolina. It’s the second-largest satellite city of the Charlotte metropolitan area, after Concord.  

Job Opportunities

There are more than 4,000 businesses and government agencies in Gastonia and Gaston County, including 30 international companies. Major industries include education, health service, manufacturing, transportation, and utilities. The county is home to a number of business complexes such as the 422-acre Gastonia Technology Park, which has attracted more than $250 million of investment. The biggest employers in the county are Gaston County Schools, Caromont Health Corp., Freightliner Corp., Pharr Yarns, and American & Efird.

Local History

Did you know Gastonia is called the Spindle City? Incorporated in 1877, it was named after William Gaston, a congressman and judge. Gastonia’s first cotton mill was established in 1848. By 1923, there were 103 mills in Gaston County, the national leader in combed cotton production at the time. Gastonia itself became one of America’s largest textile manufacturing centers. In 1929, workers at the Loray Mill went on strike to demand better working conditions and wages. An altercation during the strike resulted in the death of the police chief.

Things to Do in Gastonia

The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden stands on 380 acres of land on the banks of Lake Wylie. It features a visitor pavilion with a 100-year-old stained-glass dome, a children’s garden, a tropical plants and orchids conservatory, annual and perennial displays, fountains, walking trails, and a garden store. Learn about the environment at the Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium. The museum showcases science, nature, and history through its vast collection of animal specimens, interpretive exhibits, and outdoor recreation of a Catawba Indian Village.

Cost of Living

You’re likely to come out ahead in Gastonia (population: 77,273), given a cost of living rate and housing costs that are 0.8% and 36.5% lower than the national average respectively. Median gross rent is $879. Food cost is 11.1% higher than the national average. North Carolina residents pay 5.25% in income tax and 4.75% in statewide sales tax, with additional sales taxes from counties. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

Residents praise Gastonia’s excellent amenities, abundance of outdoor recreation, and proximity to Charlotte, about 20 miles away. If topnotch schools happen to be your priority, look into Belmont and Cramerton, both in Gaston County. They are close to Gastonia and within commuting distance of Charlotte.