City profile
Shelby, NC
Cleveland County · Population 22,100
Shelby is a town in Cleveland County, NC with about 22,100 residents and a typical home value near $197,000. It is 40 miles from Charlotte, NC, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Mild & temperate
Winter avg
42°F
Summer avg
80°F
Sunny days / yr
218
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$197,200
Typical monthly housing
$1,211
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
81
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.85%
- State income tax (top)
- 4.25%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 7.00%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low · county score 70/100
Top hazards: Ice storm, Lightning, Earthquake
Nearest major airport
34 mi to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 32% Democratic / 67% Republican
Community
Population
22,100
Black population
31.3%
County
Cleveland County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸NC is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Part of the New Great Migration — a growing Black community in the South
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hurricanes (coast), inland flooding
Highlights
- About 22,100 residents
- Typical home value about $197,000
- 40 miles from Charlotte, NC
Trade-offs
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.