COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Cleveland County

North Carolina · 96,287 residents · 464.249 sq mi

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The short version

Cleveland County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $35,283. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $77,600.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $42,589

Mid-age

median age 36.5

US median: 35.2

Less educated

13% 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

Total population

96,287

+14%since 1990

from 84,714 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

207 / sq mi

+14%since 1990

from 182 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

36.5

+5%since 1990

from 34.7 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

2024101K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$35,283

+1%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $26,476 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$17,395

+46%since 1990

from $11,875 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

13.3%

+2.3 ptssince 1990

from 11.0% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$77,600

+11%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $52,900 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$447

+4%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $327 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

72.8%

Unchangedsince 1990

from 72.8% in 1990

27.2% rent

Afford Score

2.2

+10%since 1990

from 2.0 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Cleveland County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic78.2%(66,235)

Black21%(17,752)

Hispanic / Latino0.3%(280)

Asian0.5%(442)

Diversity Score43.6%(36,960)

2000

White, non-Hispanic76.2%(73,357)

Black20.8%(20,010)

Hispanic / Latino1.5%(1,433)

Asian0.7%(647)

Diversity Score45.6%(43,942)

Diversity Score

+5%since 1990

from 44 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

13.3%

+2.1 ptssince 1990

from 11.1% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

72.2%

+8.7 ptssince 1990

from 63.5% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

4.3%

+0.8 ptssince 1990

from 3.5% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

15.9 min

−11%since 1990

from 17.8 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.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Cleveland County

Head to head

Compare Cleveland County to nearby counties

CLEVELAND COUNTY VS

Cherokee County

Income$50,288+43%

Home value$142,000+83%

Population58,275−44%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

CLEVELAND COUNTY VS

Rutherford County

Income$51,410+46%

Home value$201,800+160%

Population65,745−36%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

CLEVELAND COUNTY VS

Lincoln County

Income$80,016+127%

Home value$321,000+314%

Population98,654−5%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

CLEVELAND COUNTY VS

Gaston County

Income$67,478+91%

Home value$266,000+243%

Population246,558+139%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Cleveland County, North Carolina?

Cleveland County, North Carolina has about 96,287 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Cleveland County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Cleveland County, North Carolina earns about $35,283 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cleveland County, North Carolina expensive?

In Cleveland County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $77,600, and the typical rent is about $447 a month.

How educated are people in Cleveland County, North Carolina?

About 13.3% of adults age 25 and over in Cleveland County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cleveland County, North Carolina?

About 13.3% of people in Cleveland County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cleveland County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Cleveland County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 11,573 residents, a change of about 14 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 →