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CITY · 2020 ACS

Shelby

North Carolina · 21,918 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 $39,398. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $132,900. Households here earn about 30% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,918
+13%since 2000
from 19,477 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
980 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 871 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.8
+7%since 2000
from 38.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K16K18K21K23K1990201020202024Shelby
202422K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,398
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,345 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,149
+29%since 2000
from $18,708 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.2%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 20.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
20.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 17.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade18.9%
US avg: 10%
Information12.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services2.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$132,900
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$684
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $462 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
49.1%
−9.1 ptssince 2000
from 58.2% in 2000
50.9% rent
Afford Score
3.4
+24%since 2000
from 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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic51%(11,169)
Black38.2%(8,383)
Hispanic / Latino5.1%(1,122)
Asian1%(228)
Other4.4%(973)
Diversity Score73.5%(16,102)
Diversity Score
73
+16%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.8%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 18.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.6%
+13.5 ptssince 2000
from 73.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.9%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.3 min
+55%since 2000
from 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 83.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
13.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.1%
−11.2 ptssince 2011
from 18.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
55.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2011
from 56.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.5%
−33.2 ptssince 2009
from 69.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.9%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Female
56.1%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Foreign born
2.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.9%
−73.2 ptssince 2013
from 83.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Shelby to nearby cities

SHELBY VS
Kings Mountain
Income$49,564+26%
Home value$204,100+54%
Population12,117−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
Gaffney
Income$41,089+4%
Home value$137,700+4%
Population12,583−46%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
Gastonia
Income$64,059+63%
Home value$277,600+109%
Population87,067+274%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
Lincolnton
Income$46,320+18%
Home value$248,700+87%
Population12,465−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Shelby, North Carolina?

Shelby, North Carolina has about 21,918 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Shelby, North Carolina earns about $39,398 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 $132,900, and the typical rent is about $684 a month.

How educated are people in Shelby, North Carolina?

About 26.8% 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 20.2% 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 7,249 residents, a change of about 49 percent over that period.

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

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