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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Shelby

North Carolina · 19,477 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 $29,345. Population has grown 33% since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $79,600. Households here earn about 25% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 38.9
US median: 35.2
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

19,477
+33%since 1990
from 14,669 in 1990
1990 – 2025
871 / sq mi
+33%since 1990
from 656 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
38.9
+8%since 1990
from 36.0 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
14K16K18K21K23K1990201020202024Shelby
202422K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$29,345
+12%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $19,829 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$18,708
+57%since 1990
from $11,889 in 1990
US average: $21,522
17.8%
−1.5 ptssince 1990
from 19.3% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$79,600
+16%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $52,300 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$462
+2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $343 in 1990
US average: $602
58.2%
+5.5 ptssince 1990
from 52.8% in 1990
41.8% rent
2.7
+3%since 1990
from 2.6 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shelby on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

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

Education

18.0%
+2.3 ptssince 1990
from 15.8% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
73.2%
+12.2 ptssince 1990
from 61.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
6.1%
+0.5 ptssince 1990
from 5.7% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

13.7 min
+1%since 1990
from 13.6 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Shelby, North Carolina?

Shelby, North Carolina has about 19,477 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Shelby, North Carolina earns about $29,345 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 $79,600, and the typical rent is about $462 a month.

How educated are people in Shelby, North Carolina?

About 18.0% 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 17.8% of people in Shelby, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shelby, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Shelby, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,808 residents, a change of about 33 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →