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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Shelby

North Carolina · 14,669 residents · 22.354 sq mi
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The short version

Shelby has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $19,829. Population has fallen 25% since 2000, a loss of 4,808 residents. Median home value is $52,300. Households here earn about 26% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 36.0
US median: 33.0
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 13%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,669
−25%vs 2000
vs 19,477 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
656 / sq mi
−25%vs 2000
vs 871 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
36.0
−7%vs 2000
vs 38.9 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K16K18K21K23K1990201020202024Shelby
202422K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$19,829
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $29,345 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$11,889
−36%vs 2000
vs $18,708 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
19.3%
+1.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 17.8% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$52,300
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $79,600 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$343
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $462 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
52.8%
−5.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 58.2% in 2000
47.2% rent
Afford Score
2.6
−3%vs 2000
vs 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shelby on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic56.4%(10,985)
Black40.7%(7,922)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(304)
Asian0.5%(106)
Other0%
Diversity Score63.5%(12,372)
1990
White, non-Hispanic56.7%(8,317)
Black42.7%(6,262)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(92)
Asian0.3%(44)
Other0.3%(46)
Diversity Score62.8%(9,214)
Diversity Score
63
−1%vs 2000
vs 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.8%
−2.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 18.0% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
61.0%
−12.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 73.2% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
5.7%
−0.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 6.1% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.6 min
−1%vs 2000
vs 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Shelby

Holiday
Pop 22,785
Brent
Pop 23,813
Jasmine Estates
Pop 23,571
South Bradenton
Pop 25,990
Places similar to Shelby
Head to head

Compare Shelby to nearby cities

SHELBY VS
Kings Mountain
Income$49,564+150%
Home value$204,100+290%
Population12,117−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
Gaffney
Income$41,089+107%
Home value$137,700+163%
Population12,583−46%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
Gastonia
Income$64,059+223%
Home value$277,600+431%
Population87,067+274%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
Lincolnton
Income$46,320+134%
Home value$248,700+376%
Population12,465−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Shelby, North Carolina?

Shelby, North Carolina has about 14,669 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Shelby, North Carolina?

The typical household in Shelby, North Carolina earns about $19,829 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shelby, North Carolina expensive?

In Shelby, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $52,300, and the typical rent is about $343 a month.

How educated are people in Shelby, North Carolina?

About 15.8% of adults age 25 and over in Shelby, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shelby, North Carolina?

About 19.3% of people in Shelby, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →