Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

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Shelby, NC

CSACharlotte-Concord MSAShelby-Kings Mountain#1/15 Population

Shelby, NC Population, Income & Demographics 2026

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

22,100population

39.3median age

This community is a community of 22,100 with a median age of 39.3. The population is predominantly White (53.7%) with a significant Black community (31.2%). Median household income is $48,376. 90.5% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 26.6% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 59.9%, with a median home value of $197,200.

Race & Ethnicityi

White

53.7%11,872

Black

31.2%6,901

Two or More

8.5%1,871

Hispanic/Latino

4.8%1,062

Asian

0.9%196

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.5%112

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.3%64

Other

0.1%22

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

5.1%777

High School Diploma

26.1%3,940

Some College (<1 yr)

4.8%722

Some College (1+ yr)

13.5%2,044

Associate's Degree

14.4%2,184

Bachelor's Degree

15.8%2,384

Master's Degree

8%1,217

Professional Degree

2.2%330

Doctorate

0.6%87

HS or Higher

90.5%

BA or Higher

26.6%

Graduate+

10.8%

Housingi

$197,200median home value

$945median rent

59.9%homeownership

10,758total units

11.4%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 59.9%

Renter 40.1%

Home Values

Under $50K

5.6%318

$50K–$100K

9.1%521

$100K–$150K

12.7%724

$150K–$200K

24%1,371

$200K–$300K

26.4%1,510

$300K–$500K

13.6%779

$500K–$1M

7%398

$1M+

1.6%94

Rent Distribution

Under $500

617

$500–$750

530

$750–$1,000

883

$1,000–$1,250

714

$1,250–$1,500

484

$1,500–$2,000

418

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

1.6%175

2010–2019

2.4%259

2000–2009

11.1%1,194

1990–1999

5.4%579

1980–1989

9.2%993

1970–1979

19.9%2,146

1960–1969

16.2%1,741

1950–1959

14.1%1,522

1940–1949

8.6%925

1939 or earlier

11.4%1,224

Heating Fuel

Electricity

66.3%6,316

Utility Gas

31.3%2,985

Fuel Oil

0.8%75

Bottled/LP Gas

0.7%70

No Fuel

0.5%52

Wood

0.3%26

Other

0.1%9

Household Economyi

$48,376median household income

$31,112per capita income

17.2%poverty rate

3.6%unemployment

9,837labor force

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

8.8%837

$10K–$15K

5.5%521

$15K–$20K

5.3%506

$20K–$25K

5.3%501

$25K–$30K

5.2%499

$30K–$35K

7.4%706

$35K–$40K

5.9%560

$40K–$45K

4.8%461

$45K–$50K

3%284

$50K–$60K

6.2%588

$60K–$75K

8.9%852

$75K–$100K

11.1%1,055

$100K–$125K

9.1%869

$125K–$150K

3.5%331

$150K–$200K

4.7%450

$200K+

5.4%513

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

1,058

Residentsi

1,583

Avg. Tenant Renti

$377/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

29 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing172 homes99% occupied$378/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers577 homes68% occupied$378/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8189 homes94% occupied$382/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC86 homes93% occupied$378/mo rent

811/PRAC24 homes95% occupied$307/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $48,376/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $15K/yr

65.7%

Very low income$15K–$24K/yr

27.6%

Low income$24K–$39K/yr

5.4%

Moderate / aboveOver $39K/yr

1.3%

Who Receives This Housing

80.4% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

79.7% of subsidized households are minority

22.8% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

42.6% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

5012.3%

By Region

Top Countries

India

121

Mexico

Guatemala

Germany

United Kingdom

Korea

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

9,304

Avg. Commutei

20.2 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

9,458

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,603(9.5% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

93.6%Insured

6.4%Uninsured