Gastonia, North Carolina Relocation Guide

Located in the heart of the Piedmont section of North Carolina, approximately 22 miles west of Charlotte, it is the second largest City in the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill Metropolitan Statistical Area. Gastonia covers an area of approximately 43.5 square miles. The City has a broad industrial, office and commercial base, and is the twelfth largest City in the State with a population of 63,700.

There is one public school system serving the County. The Gaston County School Administrative Unit is governed by a Board of Education consisting of nine members elected for four-year terms. A school superintendent is appointed by the Board of Education.

The State provides funding for a basic minimum educational program which is supplemented by the County and federal governments. This minimum program provides funds for operational costs only, while financing of public school facilities has been a joint State and County effort. Thus, local financial support is provided by the County for capital and operating costs which are not provided for by the State or federal governments. The City does not provide any funding for the school system.

The Highland School of Technology in Gastonia opened in the fall of 2000. This unique High School will offer advanced technical instruction in such areas as computers in industrial applications, health care technology, math and science. The school will feature a limited enrollment based on a competitive application. The curriculum was developed after significant community input and designed to service the local industrial base as well as prepare the students for advanced technical training at the college level.

There are three post-secondary institutions located within the County. The main campus of Gaston Community College, with an enrollment of approximately 5,900 is located in the approximate geographic center of the County, adjacent to the City. This institution provides opportunities in vocational, technical and adult education as one of the 58 institutions within the North Carolina system of community colleges. Through affiliation with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina A&T State University and Appalachian State University, degree programs at both the Bachelors and Masters level are offered on campus.

Belmont Abbey College is a private liberal arts college located five miles east of the City offering Bachelors and Masters degrees, with an enrollment of approximately 950 students of which 94 are seeking graduate degrees in accounting, business administration and education.

The City's economy has benefited from its proximity to Charlotte, access to major interstate highways and a recent retail boom. These influences have led to significant recent economic growth and diversification.

For many years, the primary industry in the Gastonia was textiles. While this industry continues to be a major force, the introduction of commerce and industry related to oil and air filter manufacturing, automotive, parts manufacturing, chain saws, hand tools, Christmas ornaments and "mega" retail stores have enabled the City to see improvements in both its employment and economic base.

Gastonia and surrounding area is redefining itself as a metropolitan dominated region. The City and the County are fast becoming what economists refer to as a "regional retail center." With the establishment of the City as a retail destination, an influx of shoppers from surrounding counties such as Lincoln, Cleveland, York and Mecklenburg has been noted.

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