At a Glance
Median Income
$50,705
$30,663 per capita
Home Value
$185,400
Zillow: $212,840
Median Rent
$899/mo
28.8% of income on rent
Violent Crime
1,049/100K
2,461/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
26.6%
89.0% high school+
Unemployment
3.6%
15.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
41.5%
17.4% smoking rate
How Shelby Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Shelby's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Shelby a Good Place to Live?
B
3.0 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Shelby residents earn a median household income of $50,705 , which is 33% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $30,663. The unemployment rate stands at 3.6% (0% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 15.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 2,287 business establishments, including 181 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Shelby is $185,400 , 34% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $212,840. Median rent is $899/month, with 28.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 94.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1971.
Safety & Crime
Shelby reports 1,049 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 176% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,461/100K.
Education
26.6% of adults in Shelby hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(21% below the national average).
89.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Shelby has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C).
Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.4 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population21,868
Median Age41.2 yrs
Density978/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Foreign Born2.9%
Veterans10.3%
Economy
B
Median Income$50,705
Per Capita$30,663
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty15.0%
County GDP$6,025M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,034
Housing
A+
Home Value$185,400
Rent$899
Ownership59.1%
Zillow$212,840
Housing Units11,005
Rent Burden28.8%
Crime
F
Violent1,049/100K
Property2,461/100K
Health
Obesity41.5%
Diabetes13.0%
Smoking17.4%
Heart Disease6.4%
Premature Death12,476/100K
Climate
Avg Temp59°F
Rain50.4 in/yr
Elevation873 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+26.6%
High School+89.0%
Graduate+9.0%
School Score5.9/10
Community
2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute22 min
Broadband80.3%
Internet Speed168 Mbps
EV Stations7
Libraries3
Did You Know?
The median home in Shelby was built in 1971.
The nearest airport is Hickory Regional (32 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.464 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
19.5% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 168 Mbps.
There are 181 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 21 fatal vehicle crashes.