City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Shelby, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Shelby - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

21,868
Residents
$50,705
Median income
$185,400
Median home
$925
Median rent (state)

Shelby - the verdict

Shelby ranks in the 20th percentile for household income and the 11th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

20th
percentile, household income
38th
percentile, home value
7th
percentile, median rent
11th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Shelby, NC

21,868 people live in Shelby, North Carolina - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Shelby households earn a median of $50,705 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 15.0%. Typical homes in Shelby are valued around $185,400, and the median resident age is 41.2 years. About 26.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 53.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 278 residential building permits were authorized in Shelby (Building Boom), up 2989% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Shelby's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3477.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Shelby's yearly average temperature at 59.2°F with 50.4 inches of precipitation per year and 4.0 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $925 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 70.0 out of 100 (High).

Population

21,868 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$50,705 /yr

Poverty 15.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Shelby compare to other US cities?

Here's how Shelby stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 20% higher than other cities
Home value 38% pricier than other cities
Median rent 7% pricier than other cities
Safety 11% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just North Carolina and the picture shifts: Shelby ranks #136 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Shelby against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Shelby near the bottom of North Carolina's cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Shelby ranks #552 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Shelby only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#455 of 700
35th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#552 of 746
0th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#378 of 708
47th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#232 of 746
68th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#270 of 746
64th percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

20thIncome percentile
11thSafety percentile

20th percentile nationally for median household income · 11th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Shelby's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Shelby's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 36 Avg. percentile National median
Shelby's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Shelby's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$185,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 62% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Shelby $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Shelby, NC Shelby, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Shelby, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Shelby, NC median $50,705/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Shelby, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Shelby, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
21,868
Median Income
$50,705
Median Home Value
$185,400
Median Age
41.2
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Labor force participation
53.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3477.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1044.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2433.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
50.4"
Annual Snowfall
4.0"

Schools

Total Schools
17
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
21,500 residents22,000 residents22,500 residents23,000 residents23,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 21,939 residents 23,309 residents ▲ +6.2%
Shelby's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
278
housing units authorized
Single-Family
180
detached homes
Multifamily
98
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
12.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 9
2020 27
2021 54
2022 93
2023 442
2024 278

Permit volume increased 2989% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.3%
Carpool
9.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.1%
Work from Home
9.7%

Based on 9,245 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Shelby sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$925/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
70.0 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Clemmons
21,574 people
Waxhaw
21,565 people
Carrboro
21,170 people
Lexington
19,691 people
Kinston
19,576 people
Boone
19,534 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Shelby's 21,868 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Sedalia, MO
21,869 people
Parsippany, NJ
21,869 people
Klamath Falls, OR
21,879 people
Darien, IL
21,855 people
Kailua CDP (Hawaii County), HI
21,851 people
Lino Lakes, MN
21,847 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Shelby's $50,705 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Plainfield, CT
$50,703 median income
New, ND
$50,707 median income
Orrtanna, PA
$50,703 median income
Tell City, IN
$50,702 median income
Pembroke Park, FL
$50,710 median income
Castalia, IA
$50,714 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Shelby, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Shelby, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 55.3% 32.4% 9.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.7% White 55.3% Black or African American 32.4% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 1.2% Two or more races 9.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Shelby compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Shelby (this city) 21,868 $50,705
Clemmons 21,574 $84,326
Waxhaw 21,565 $128,115
Carrboro 21,170 $85,927
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Shelby, NC?

What is the population of Shelby, NC? +

Shelby, NC has a population of 21,868 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Shelby, NC? +

In Shelby, the typical household earns $50,705 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Shelby? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Shelby; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Shelby, NC safe? +

Shelby has a total crime rate of 3477.4 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Shelby, NC? +

The median home value in Shelby is $185,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Shelby? +

Climate normals put Shelby's yearly average temperature at 59.2°F, 50.4 inches of precipitation, and 4.0 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.