Shelby

County:: Cleveland County
County Seat:: No
Area (mi²):: 22.354
State:: North Carolina

Shelby is a city located in Cleveland County, North Carolina. Shelby has a 2025 population of 22,044. Shelby is currently growing at a rate of 0.08% annually and its population has increased by 0.39% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 21,958 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.

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

Black or African American

Two or more races

Other race

Asian

Native American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Race	Population	Percentage (of total)
White	12,092	55.3%
Black or African American	7,088	32.41%
Two or more races	2,075	9.49%
Other race	253	1.16%
Asian	179	0.82%
Native American	114	0.52%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	67	0.31%

Shelby Marital Status

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