Shelby Flag

Shelby

County Seat:
Yes
Area (mi²):
22.354

Shelby is a city located in Cleveland County, North Carolina. Shelby has a 2025 population of 22,984 . It is also the county seat of Cleveland County . Shelby is currently growing at a rate of 0.9% annually and its population has increased by 4.7% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 21,953 in 2020.

The average household income in Shelby is $69,975 with a poverty rate of 18.2%. The median age in Shelby is 41.2 years: 38.8 years for males, and 44.3 years for females. For every 100 females there are 86.3 males.

23K
Total Population
1,028
Density (mi²)
206 0.9%
Growth

Shelby Population

Shelby Population

Data after 2023 is projected based on recent change

Demographics

The racial composition of Shelby includes 55.3% White, 32.41% Black or African American, and smaller percentages for other race, Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

White (55.3%)

Black or African American (32.41%)

Two or more races (9.49%)

Other race (1.16%)

Asian (0.82%)

Native American (0.52%)

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (0.31%)

Race
Population
Percentage (of total)
White12,09255.3%
Black or African American7,08832.41%
Two or more races2,0759.49%
Other race2531.16%
Asian1790.82%
Native American1140.52%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander670.31%

Shelby Marital Status

OverallMalesFemales0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Never Married

Economics and Income Statistics

Shelby's average per capita income is $42,323. Household income levels show a median of $50,705. The poverty rate stands at 18.2%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
Name
Median
Mean
Married Families$91,090-
Families$67,008$87,776
Households$50,705$69,975
Non Families$31,261$43,009

$42,323

Average Income

$50,705

Median Household Income

18.2%

Poverty Rate

Nearby Cities

Sources

  1. US Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  2. US Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  3. American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
  4. Census QuickFacts
  5. Historical Populations of States and Counties (1790 - 1990)