| City | Rank | 2026 Pop. ↓ | 2020 Pop. | Annual Change | Density (/mi²) | Area (mi²) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby | 1 | 23,531 | 21,939 | 0.95% | 1,053 | 22 | City |
| Kings Mountain | 2 | 12,279 | 11,314 | 1.34% | 825 | 15 | City |
| Boiling Springs | 3 | 4,816 | 4,728 | 0.35% | 1,075 | 4 | Town |
| Grover | 4 | 812 | 801 | 0.25% | 849 | 1 | Town |
| Kingstown | 5 | 670 | 660 | 0.3% | 381 | 2 | Town |
| Fallston | 6 | 638 | 622 | 0.47% | 295 | 2 | Town |
| Patterson Springs | 7 | 593 | 574 | 0.51% | 578 | 1 | Town |
| Lawndale | 8 | 580 | 567 | 0.35% | 719 | 1 | Town |
| Polkville | 9 | 517 | 511 | 0.19% | 278 | 2 | City |
| Lattimore | 10 | 472 | 451 | 0.85% | 460 | 1 | Town |
| Waco | 11 | 317 | 310 | 0.32% | 378 | 1 | Town |
| Casar | 12 | 309 | 306 | 0% | 177 | 2 | Town |
| Mooresboro | 13 | 298 | 294 | 0.34% | 169 | 2 | Town |
| Earl | 14 | 212 | 203 | 0.47% | 246 | 1 | Town |
Shelby is the largest city in Cleveland County, with a population of 23,531.
Earl is the smallest city in Cleveland County, with a population of 212.
There are 14 cities in Cleveland County, North Carolina.