Living in Shelby, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Shelby · Census data 2020–2024
Shelby has 22,100 residents with a median age of 39.3. The median household income is $48,376 (33% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $197,200, the median rent is $945/month.
Shelby at a glance
- Population
- 22,100
- Median age
- 39.3State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $48,376State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $197,200State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $945/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 59.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26.6%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Shelby a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 32% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%.
Cons: Median household income 33% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 17.6%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Shelby
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Shelby the median home value is $197,200, 41% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $945 per month, which is 31.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,358 a month in housing costs.
Shelby median household income
The median household income in Shelby is $48,376 and the income per person is $31,112. 17.6% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Shelby: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 10,758
- Owner-occupied
- 59.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.1%
- Vacant
- 11.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1970
- Average household size
- 2.26
Shelby demographics
- Population
- 22,100
- Median age
- 39.3
- Under 18
- 23.2%
- 65 and older
- 20.7%
- Households
- 9,533
- Foreign-born
- 2.3%
- Veterans
- 9.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Shelby ›
Education in Shelby
26.6% of adults 25 and older in Shelby have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 10.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Shelby
- Unemployment rate
- 3.6%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 9.6%
- Drive alone
- 79.6%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.2%
Shelby vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby | 22,100 | $48,376 | $197,200 | $945 |
| Light Oak | 277 | $63,333 | $89,200 | — |
| Patterson Springs | 845 | $58,250 | $142,200 | $1,000 |
| Kingstown | 381 | $30,750 | $92,400 | $848 |
| Earl | 309 | $44,033 | $163,400 | $944 |
| Lattimore | 526 | $81,250 | $169,700 | $850 |
| Boiling Springs | 4,757 | $89,875 | $265,400 | $1,192 |
| Lawndale | 739 | $39,250 | $116,800 | $880 |
| Mooresboro | 190 | $49,464 | $225,000 | $800 |
More for people moving to Shelby
Shelby ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Shelby: FAQ
What is the median household income in Shelby, NC?
The median household income in Shelby is $48,376, 33% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Shelby?
The median home value in Shelby is $197,200, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Shelby?
The median gross rent in Shelby is $945 per month, about 31.5% of household income.
Is Shelby, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 32% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%. Minuses: median household income 33% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 17.6%.
What is the median age in Shelby?
The median age in Shelby is 39.3 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Shelby?
The average commute to work in Shelby is 20 minutes; 9.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Shelby?
The unemployment rate in Shelby is 3.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Shelby?
26.6% of adults in Shelby have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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