County · North Carolina
Cleveland County, North Carolina
Cleveland County, North Carolina. Cleveland County had 103,325 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.8% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 16 places (15 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 24 census tracts. GEOID 37045.
Cleveland County is the county of the Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
103,325
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 99,519 · ACS 2020-2024: 100,991
Median household income
$58,534
±$2,730 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$200,000
±$8,612 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$914
±$50 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Cleveland County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 99,519 residents in Cleveland County. The Census Bureau estimates 103,325 for July 1, 2025, up 3.8% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 100,991 over 464 square miles of land.
| Measure | Cleveland County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 100,991 | 10,730,404 | +3,709 |
| Households | 38,850±585 | 4,282,345 | +3,212 |
| Average household size | 2.55±0.04 | 2.44 | −0.13 |
| Housing units | 44,304±71 | 4,895,668 | +690 |
Cleveland County's population since 2000
From 96,287 in 2000 to 103,325 in 2025: up 7.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Cleveland County?
Cleveland County holds 16 places: 15 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Shelby with 23,309 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Shelby | 21,918 | $48,376 |
|---|---|---|
| Kings Mountain | 11,142 | $49,564 |
| Boiling Springs | 4,615 | $89,875 |
| Belwood | 857 | $51,299 |
| Grover | 802 | $36,736 |
| Light OakGEOID 3738170 | 697 | $63,333 |
| KingstownGEOID 3735890 | 656 | $30,750 |
| FallstonGEOID 3722720 | 627 | $56,250 |
| Patterson Springs | 571 | $58,250 |
| Lawndale | 570 | $39,250 |
| PolkvilleGEOID 3753160 | 516 | $74,688 |
| LattimoreGEOID 3737040 | 406 | $81,250 |
| WacoGEOID 3770320 | 310 | not published |
| Casar | 305 | $60,875 |
| MooresboroGEOID 3744160 | 293 | $49,464 |
| EarlGEOID 3719140 | 198 | $44,033 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cleveland County?
The median resident of Cleveland County is 41.3 years old; 22.3% are under 18 and 18.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 70.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 17.9%. 3.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cleveland County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.3±0.4 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.3% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.8%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.7% | 11.3% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 70.6%±0.3 pts | 60.0% | −2.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 17.9%±1.0 pts | 20.0% | −3.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.3%±1.0 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.1%±0.4 pts | 9.1% | +0.7 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.1%±0.5 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±0.8 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 16.8%±1.0 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.3%±1.1 pts | 9.9% | −2.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.4%±1.1 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.0%±1.5 pts | 35.7% | +4.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.0%±0.9 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Cleveland County earn?
Half of Cleveland County's 38,850 households earn less than $58,534 a year (±$2,730), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $51,993 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,541 after inflation. 16.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cleveland County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,534±$2,730 | $72,388 | +$6,541 |
| Mean household income | $76,018±$2,859 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,294±$1,079 | $41,385 | +$2,494 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.6%±1.6 pts | 13.0% | −3.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.0%±4.3 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.3%±1.9 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.0%±1.6 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Cleveland County?
Owners occupy 70.9% of Cleveland County's occupied homes and renters 29.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $200,000 by its owner (±$8,612). The median renter pays $914 a month including utilities, and 40.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cleveland County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $200,000±$8,612 | $288,900 | +$52,194 |
| Median gross rent | $914±$50 | $1,228 | +$57 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.9%±5.2 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,257±$47 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.9%±1.7 pts | 66.6% | +3.1 pts |
| Housing units | 44,304±71 | 4,895,668 | +690 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.3%±1.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.7%±1.7 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.2%±1.6 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.4%±1.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Cleveland County building?
Builders took permits for 555 new housing units across Cleveland County in 2025 (396 single-family), 5.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Cleveland County get to work?
82.2% of Cleveland County's workers drive alone and 6.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.2%.
| Measure | Cleveland County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.7%±1.4 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2%±0.9 pts | 4.7% | −3.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 82.2%±1.5 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.1%±1.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.8%±1.1 pts | 16.3% | +5.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.3 min±0.9 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Cleveland County's census tracts?
Cleveland County is divided into 24 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,463 (Tract 9509) to $80,667 (Tract 9503.02).
All 24 census tracts of Cleveland County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Cleveland County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 29th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 50th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 25th of 100 |
| Median household income | 58th of 100 |
| Median home value | 60th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 47th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 37th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 54th of 100 |
| Median age | 64th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cleveland County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.