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Demographics & Labor Force
Population
The City of Cherryville's current population estimate is 5,538, up 3.3% from 2000. The city grew at an annual average rate of 1.3% between 1990 and 2000. The rate of growth during that decade was significantly faster in Cherryville than in Gaston County as a whole, which grew at an annual average 0.9%. Cherryville's rate of growth is between the rate of growth for the County and the Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) at 2.9%. The 2002 population of Gaston County is 191,874 and by 2010 the population is projected to be 204,156.
| Population |
| | 1990 | 2000 | 2002 |
| City of Cherryville | 4,756 | 5,361 | 5,538 |
| Gaston County | 174,769 | 190,365 | 191,874 |
| Charlotte MSA | 1,161,781 | 1,499,293 | 1,558,937 |
Source: US Census Bureau 1990 and 2000 and NC State Data Center
Age Demographics
Gaston County's age demographics are slightly older than those of North Carolina. The youth age group, 0 - 17, declined over 1990 to 2000. There was a significant decline in the 18 - 34 age group and an increase in the 35 - 54 age group. The age 55 and older group increased slightly in Gaston County but held constant across the state. This group is projected to grow the fastest of all the age groups between 2000 and 2010.
| Percent of Population by Age Group |
| | Gaston County | North Carolina |
| Age Groups | 1990 % of total population | 2000 % of total population | 1990 % of total population | 2000 % of total population |
| 0 - 17 | 25.4% | 24.6% | 24% | 24% |
| 18 - 34 | 27.3% | 23.3% | 29% | 25% |
| 35 - 54 | 26.0% | 30.1% | 26% | 30% |
| 55+ | 21.3% | 22.0% | 21% | 21% |
Source: NC State Data Center
Education
The population of Cherryville and Gaston County is achieving higher education levels. There have been dramatic increases in the number of high school graduates and number of people attending higher education. A significant increase, from 15.5% to 21.5%, was seen in the "some college no degree" group in the city.
| Educational Attainment |
| | Gaston County 1990
% of pop. Over 25 | Gaston County 2000
% of pop. Over 25 |
| Less than H. S. | 39.1% | 28.6% |
| H. S. graduate | 27.2% | 29.6% |
| Some College No Degree | 16.1% | 21.3% |
| Associate Degree | 6.8% | 6.4% |
| Bachelors Degree | 7.9% | 10.3% |
| Graduate or Professional Degree | 2.9% | 3.8% |
Source: US Census Bureau
| Educational Attainment |
| | Cherryville 1990
% of pop. Over 25 | Cherryville 2000
% of pop. Over 25 |
| Less than H. S. | 42.2% | 29.3% |
| H. S. graduate | 25.5% | 29.4% |
| Some College No Degree | 15.5% | 21.5% |
| Associate Degree | 6.5% | 7.1% |
| Bachelors Degree | 7.1% | 9.7% |
| Graduate or Professional Degree | 3.2% | 2.9% |
Source: US Census Bureau
Labor Force
The Gaston County labor force has declined about 1.7%% over the four-year period of 1999 to 2003 and is currently at 103,318. The statewide labor force grew over the same period and the Charlotte MSA also saw positive growth of 3.9% from 1999 to 2003. As with much of North Carolina, in Gaston County, there was steady growth in the labor force until 2000. At that time the national economy began to slow and there were announcements of permanent closings and layoffs. About 54% of Gaston County's population is in the labor force.
Labor Force
Source: NC Employment Security Commission
Unemployment
Gaston County's unemployment rate has been significantly higher than the unemployment rates for the Charlotte MSA and North Carolina. Unemployment rose more sharply 1999 to 2001, fueled in part by business closings. Following regional and state trends, the unemployment has declined slightly since 2001.
Unemployment Rates
Source: NC Employment Security Commission
Economic and Demographic Trends
Economic Indicators
Income continues on a positive trend in Gaston County. However, per capita personal income remains somewhat below the state and regional average. Retail sales have remained relatively constant in Cherryville but have turned upward in the County. Residential building continues with strong growth in Gaston County. Because of the small population size of the City of Cherryville, statistics for Gaston County and the region are used in the categories depicted below where city information is unavailable.
Workforce Commuting Data
There is a great deal of commuting into and out of Gaston County. Of the total number of people working in Gaston County, about 25% commute into the County. In-commuters come from Cleveland County (5,963), Mecklenburg County (3,948), Lincoln County (3,166) and York County, SC (2,526). Out-commuters, 37% of the resident workforce, drive to Mecklenburg County (23,101), Cleveland County (2,442), Lincoln County (1,868) and York County, SC (1,602).
| Commuting | 1990 | 2000 |
| Working in Gaston County | 81,326 | 75,116 |
| Live & work here | 64,827 | 56,321 |
| Live elsewhere & work here | 16,499 | 18,795 |
| % workforce commuting in | 20% | 25% |
| Live in Gaston County & Work elsewhere | 22,854 | 33,020 |
| % resident workers commuting out | 26% | 37% |
Source: US Census Bureau
Employment and Wages
About 68,400 people work in Gaston County. The total number of people working in the county has decreased from 77,000 in 2000 as the economy slowed and the unemployment rate rose.
In the latest employment figures available, the largest employment sector is Manufacturing, employing 28%. Even though more than 6,000 manufacturing jobs were lost from 2000 to 2002, it remains the largest employment sector. Retail, Government, and Health Care and Social Assistance each employ 13% of the workforce. Health Care and Social Assistance and Educational Services are two of the larger employment sector with positive growth over the period.
The leading wage sectors in Gaston County are Utilities, Management of Companies and Enterprises, and Federal Government. However, these sectors employ few people. The largest employment sector, Manufacturing, pays above the median wage of $29,744, as does Health Care and Social Assistance, another large employment sector. Wages grew 4.9% from 2000 to 2002. Wage growth in Gaston County is slower than the Charlotte MSA, which grew 6.2% over the same period. Unlike in other parts of North Carolina, major employment sectors in Gaston County saw wages increase during the period.
Gaston County
Insured Employment and Wages in North Carolina
for 2000, 2002 and 3Q 2003
| | 2000 | 2002 | 3Q 2003 |
| Industry | Annual Avg Empl | Avg Annual Wage Per Employee | Annual Avg Empl | Avg Annual Wage Per Employee | Avg Empl for Qtr | Avg Wkly Wage Per Employee |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting | 55 | $22,549.02 | 55 | $22,744.96 | 46 | $654.04 |
| Mining | 117 | $45,021.20 | * | * | 40 | $800.41 |
| Utilities | 781 | $61,403.51 | 735 | $51,441.22 | 626 | $984.49 |
| Construction | 3,508 | $29,365.35 | 3,059 | $30,486.22 | 3,131 | $567.66 |
| Manufacturing | 25,422 | $33,760.99 | 19,000 | $36,736.58 | 18,07 | $667.26 |
| Wholesale Trade | 3,263 | $33,805.51 | 3,114 | $35,015.92 | 2,057 | $739.82 |
| Retail Trade | 9,690 | $19,484.06 | 9,036 | $20,121.96 | 8,805 | $398.44 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 1,152 | $33,773.56 | 1,040 | $35,969.69 | 2,153 | $576.61 |
| Information | 725 | $29,680.79 | 684 | $32,969.48 | 660 | $628.42 |
| Finance and Insurance | 1,688 | $33,341.21 | 1,558 | $35,281.79 | 1,379 | $710.94 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 786 | $22,158.01 | 787 | $23,423.50 | 876 | $440.31 |
| Industry | Annual Avg Empl | Avg Annual Wage Per Employee | Annual Avg Empl | Avg Annual Wage Per Employee | Avg Empl for Qtr | Avg Wkly Wage Per Employee |
| Professional and Technical Services | 1,214 | $34,884.10 | 1,203 | $34,898.67 | 1,224 | $719.28 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 306 | $39,754.05 | 207 | $42,638.71 | 281 | $820.66 |
| Administrative and Waste Services | 4,062 | $16,806.42 | 3,455 | $18,966.25 | 3,774 | $360.93 |
| Educational Services | 5,200 | $28,108.33 | 5,334 | $29,617.14 | 4,979 | $600.28 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 7,881 | $32,479.76 | 8,665 | $35,115.06 | 9,058 | $721.24 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 665 | $14,205.01 | 583 | $14,212.89 | 572 | $266.32 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 4,971 | $10,474.34 | 4,991 | $10,923.39 | 5,096 | $219.78 |
| Other Services, Ex. Public Admin | 1,931 | $20,074.25 | 1,998 | $19,473.23 | 1,922 | $376.05 |
| Public Administration | 3,707 | $30,105.12 | 3,444 | $33,428.42 | 3,447 | $654.64 |
| Unclassified | 31 | $24,905.74 | 182 | $480.12 | | |
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| Total Federal Government | 665 | $30,784.00 | 398 | $43,368.00 | 390 | $900.00 |
| Total State Government | 1, | $25,584.00 | 1,087 | $29,744.00 | 1,016 | $603.00 |
| Total Local Government | 7,622 | $30,056.00 | 7,769 | $31,616.00 | 7,441 | $638.00 |
| Total Private Industry | 67,731 | $28,184.00 | 59,795 | $29,432.00 | 59,531 | $557.00 |
| Total All Industries | 77,118 | $28,340.00 | 69,049 | $29,744.00 | 68,378 | $569.00 |
Source: NC Employment Security Commission
Retail Sales
Retail Sales for Gaston County in the 2002-03 fiscal year were $2.158 billion. Cherryville's Retail Sales of $57 million is less than some comparable North Carolina cities of similar size (Hillsborough, Unionville, Wadesboro and Williamston). The low retail sales figures reflect the fact that Cherryville is centered geographically between three strong retail markets: Lincolnton, Shelby and Gastonia. Retail sales in all three cities are strong and growing. Most counties in North Carolina saw retail sales slow into the 2002-03 year. However, Gaston County's retail sales showed strong growth last year.
| Retail Sales in Millions |
| 1998-99 | 1999-00 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 |
| Cherryville | $58 | $59 | $64 | $58 | $57 |
| Gaston County | $2,076 | $2,091 | $2,159 | $2,042 | $2,158 |
Source: NC Department of Revenue
Per Capita Personal Income
Per capita personal income in Gaston County is following the same trend as the state. In 2001, per capita personal income for Gaston County was $25,653, $31,526 for the Charlotte MSA, and $27,308 for North Carolina. The county average is growing close to the state average while the MSA average remains well above both the County and state averages. Income growth has slowed since 2000 at the local, regional and state levels.
Per Capita Personal Income
Source: US Census Bureau
Residential Building Permits
There have been steady increases in the total value of residential building permits in Gaston County. The total number of new residential units has remained somewhat constant at around 1,000. The average cost per residential unit in 2002 was $146,000 in Gaston County.
Cost of Residential Building Permits in Millions
US Census Bureau
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