Gaston is a town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,645 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Gaston, South Carolina
Location of Gaston, South Carolina
Location of Gaston, South Carolina
Coordinates: 33°48′57″N 81°6′3″W / 33.81583°N 81.10083°W / 33.81583; -81.10083
CountryUnited States
StateSouth Carolina
CountyLexington
Area
 • Total5.32 sq mi (13.76 km2)
 • Land5.32 sq mi (13.76 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation499 ft (152 m)
Population
 • Total1,608
 • Density302.54/sq mi (116.82/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
29053
Area code(s)803, 839
FIPS code45-28780[4]
GNIS feature ID1231307[2]
Websitewww.gastonsc.org

History

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Gaston is named for the Gaston family.[5]

Geography

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Gaston is located on the banks of Bull Swamp Creek. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2), all land.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1980960
19909842.5%
20001,30432.5%
20101,64526.2%
20201,608−2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6][3]

2020 census

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Gaston racial composition[7]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 1,043 64.86%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 228 14.18%
Native American 6 0.37%
Asian 10 0.62%
Pacific Islander 1 0.06%
Other/Mixed 100 6.22%
Hispanic or Latino 220 13.68%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,608 people, 684 households, and 458 families residing in the town.

2000 census

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As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 1,304 people, 484 households, and 366 families residing in the town. The population density was 380.6 inhabitants per square mile (147.0/km2). There were 532 housing units at an average density of 155.3 per square mile (60.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.71% White, 1.07% African American, 0.84% Native American, 0.46% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.92% of the population.

There were 484 households, out of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.2% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,411, and the median income for a family was $32,917. Males had a median income of $27,857 versus $21,680 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,546. About 17.1% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.1% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

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Gaston relies mostly on business fees.[8]

Education

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Gaston area students attend schools in Lexington School District 4 and Lexington School District 2, Frances Mack Intermediate and Sandhills Middle are located in Gaston, while the Early Childhood Center, Sandhills Primary, Sandhills Elementary, Swansea High Freshmen Academy and Swansea High School are located in Neighboring Swansea, South Carolina. Parts of Gaston also attend Airport High School in West Columbia, Pine Ridge Middle School in Pine Ridge, RH Fulmer Middle School in West Columbia, and Congaree Elementary School in South Congaree.

Gaston has a public library, a branch of the Lexington County Library.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gaston, South Carolina
  3. ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 135.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "SC Town Hires 1-Man Police Department". WSAV. Associated Press. July 26, 2010. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  9. ^ "Locations". Lexington County Public Library. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
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