Stanley is a town in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States.

[4] The 28164 zip code for Stanley extends north into unincorporated land as far as the southwestern corner of Lake Norman in Lincoln County.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,963 people, 1,395 households, and 1,032 families residing in the town.

Hispanic or Latino of any race comprised 0.82% of the population [United States Census, 2000].

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