Stanley, North Carolina

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Stanley, North Carolina
Downtown Stanley, NC looking north west
Downtown Stanley, NC looking north west
Nickname: 
Stanley Creek
Motto: 
A Friendly Place
Location of Stanley, North Carolina
Location of Stanley, North Carolina
Coordinates: 35°21′19″N 81°05′37″W / 35.35528°N 81.09361°W / 35.35528; -81.09361
Country United States
State North Carolina
CountyGaston
Established1879
Government
  MayorCathy Kirkland
Area
  Total
2.71 sq mi (7.02 km2)
  Land2.69 sq mi (6.98 km2)
  Water0.015 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation846 ft (258 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
3,963
  Density1,470.1/sq mi (567.62/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
28164
Area code704
FIPS code37-64500[3]
GNIS feature ID2406656[2]
Websitewww.townofstanley.org

Stanley is a town in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, Stanley had a population of 3,963.[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2), of which 2.7 square miles (6.9 km2) is land and 0.015 square miles (0.04 km2), or 0.57%, is water.[5] The 28164 zip code for Stanley extends north into unincorporated land as far as the southwestern corner of Lake Norman in Lincoln County.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1900441
1910321−27.2%
192058481.9%
19301,08485.6%
19401,036−4.4%
19501,64458.7%
19601,98020.4%
19702,33618.0%
19802,3410.2%
19902,82320.6%
20003,0538.1%
20103,55616.5%
20203,96311.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Stanley had a population of 3,963.[7] There were 1,555 households and 1,032 families residing in the town.[8]

The median age was 41.6 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 88.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.1 males age 18 and over.[8]

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.[9]

Of the town's households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. 48.7% were married-couple households, 16.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[8]

There were 1,687 housing units, of which 7.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.4%.[8]

Stanley racial composition[10]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 3,159 79.71%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 415 10.47%
Native American 16 0.4%
Asian 43 1.09%
Other/Mixed 178 4.49%
Hispanic or Latino 152 3.84%

2000 census

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 3,053 people, 1,201 households, and 887 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,327.2 inhabitants per square mile (512.4/km2). There were 1,303 housing units at an average density of 566.4 per square mile (218.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 89.42% White, 8.42% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.66% other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race comprised 0.82% of the population [United States Census, 2000].

There were 1,201 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,867, and the median income for a family was $39,914. Males had a median income of $36,932 versus $21,178 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,403. About 9.0% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Stanley has five public schools.

  • Community Public Charter School
  • Kiser Elementary School
  • Springfield Elementary School
  • Stanley Middle School
  • East Gaston High School

The Stanley Branch of the Gaston County Public Library system serves this community.[11]

Notable people

References

  1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Stanley, North Carolina
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  5. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Stanley town, North Carolina". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved March 27, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  8. "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  9. "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  10. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  11. Stanley Branch
  12. Ted Abernathy Stats. Baseball-Reference. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  13. Dr. James Forrester. Brevard Station Museum. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  14. Doyt Morris Stats. Baseball-Reference. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  15. Representative John A. Torbett - Biography. North Carolina General Assembly.