Shelby Flag

Shelby

County Seat:
Yes
Area (mi²):
22.354

Shelby is a city located in Cleveland County, North Carolina. Shelby has a 2026 population of 23,190. It is also the county seat of Cleveland County. Shelby is currently growing at a rate of 0.9% annually and its population has increased by 5.63% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 21,953 in 2020.

The median household income in Shelby is $48,376 with a poverty rate of 17.57%. The median age in Shelby is 39.3 years: 36.6 years for males, and 42.3 years for females. For every 100 females there are 86.7 males.

23.2K
Total Population
1,037
Density (mi²)
206 0.9%
Growth

Shelby Population

Shelby Population

Data after 2023 is projected based on recent change

Year ↓
Population
Growth
Annual Change
202623,1902060.9%
202522,9842060.9%
202422,7787193.26%
202322,0592060.94%
202221,853-50-0.23%
202121,903-50-0.23%
202021,953420.19%
201920,015-22-0.11%
201820,03750.02%
201720,032-12-0.06%
201620,044260.13%
201520,018-90-0.45%
201420,108-6-0.03%
201320,114-89-0.44%
201220,203120.06%
201120,191-123-0.61%
201020,314-9-0.04%
200019,4774,80832.78%
199014,669-641-4.19%
198015,310-1,018-6.23%
197016,328-1,370-7.74%
196017,6982,19014.12%
195015,5081,47110.48%
194014,0373,24830.1%
193010,7897,180198.95%
19203,60948215.41%
19103,12700%

Median Age

Overall: 39.3 years
Female: 42.3 years
Male: 36.6 years

Shelby Adults

There are 16,964 adults, (4,572 of whom are seniors) in Shelby.

Sex Ratio

Female: 11,838 (53.6%)
Male: 10,262 (46.4%)

Demographics

The racial composition of Shelby includes 55.57% White, 31.32% Black or African American, and smaller percentages for other race, Native American, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White12,28055.57%
Black or African American6,92231.32%
Two or more races2,1609.77%
Other race2451.11%
Native American2331.05%
Asian1960.89%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander640.29%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White4081.85%
Two or more races2891.31%
Other race2231.01%
Native American1210.55%
Black or African American210.1%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White11,87253.72%
Black or African American6,90131.23%
Two or more races1,8718.47%
Asian1960.89%
Native American1120.51%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander640.29%
Other race220.1%

Shelby Marital Status

Economics and Income Statistics

Shelby 's average per capita income is $43,446. Household income levels show a median of $48,376. The poverty rate stands at 17.57%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
Name
Median ↓
Mean
Married Families$95,265-
Families$73,080$89,660
Households$48,376$70,877
Non Families$29,988$43,640

$43,446

Average Income

$48,376

Median Household Income

17.57%

Poverty Rate

Nearby Cities

Sources

  1. US Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  2. US Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  3. American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
  4. Census QuickFacts
  5. Historical Populations of States and Counties (1790 - 1990)