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Shelby, NC

Frequently asked questions

Shelby, NC

Shelby is a city in and the county seat of Cleveland County, North Carolina. It lies near the western edge of the Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC Combined Statistical Area. The population was 21,918 at the 2020 census.

Shelby is located in south-central Cleveland County. U.S. Route 74, a four-lane highway, runs through the city south of the center and leads east 21 miles (34 km) to Gastonia and west 27 miles (43 km) to Rutherfordton. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.1 square miles (54.7 km²), of which 21.1 square miles (54.6 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²), or 0.17%, is water.

The area was originally inhabited by the Catawba and Cherokee peoples and was later settled around 1760. The city was chartered in 1843 and named after Colonel Isaac Shelby, a hero of the battle of Kings Mountain (1780) during the American Revolution. Shelby was agricultural until the railways in the 1870s stimulated Shelby's development.

In 1916, Thomas Dixon, Jr., the author of The Clansman: A Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan, planned to erect a statue of his uncle Leroy McAfee on the courthouse square. The project was initially met with enthusiasm until it was announced that Dixon wanted McAfee to wear a Ku Klux Klan mask in the statue. A Confederate monument is located on the west side of the courthouse square, while foreign war monuments stand on the north and south sides.

Nevertheless, the Ku Klux Klan did have a significant presence in Shelby in the 1870s and its crimes were the subject of depositions and affidavits collected by Captain Albion Howe (1841–1873) of the 4th Regiment Artillery.

Textiles later became its chief industry during the 1920s, when production of cotton in Cleveland County rose from 8,000 to 80,000 bales a year. Cotton production peaked in 1948 with Cleveland County producing 83,549 bales, making it North Carolina's premier cotton county. In the 1930s, Shelby was known as "The Leading Shopping Center between Charlotte and Asheville". People from surrounding counties came to Shelby to shop, since there were numerous types of local and chain stores. By 1947, Shelby was a true thriving town with the mills paying among the highest wages in the South. In the 1950s, droughts, insect infestations, and government acreage controls resulted in the decline of cotton as Cleveland County's primary crop.

Shelby was home to a group of political leaders in the first half of the 20th century, that have become known as the "Shelby Dynasty." These political leaders wielded power through the local, State, and Federal governments. The most notable of Shelby's political leadership were brothers James L. Webb and Edwin Yates Webb and brothers-in-law O. Max Gardner and Clyde R. Hoey. As governors, NC representatives, and US congressmen, the group impacted Shelby's life and Shelby's reputation throughout the state.

Health and wellness are integral to the Shelby community, with Atrium Health Cleveland playing a central role in providing comprehensive healthcare services to residents. This hospital is a cornerstone of the city's healthcare infrastructure, ensuring the well-being of the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Shelby Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness and The Lifting LAB. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Shelby, such as the Carolina Harmony Trail and First Broad River Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Shelby, NC are Earl Scruggs Center, Broad River Greenway, and Don Gibson Theatre.

Population: 22,010 (2023). ZIP codes: 28150-28152. Area codes: 704, 980. Elevation: 873 ft (266 m). Area: 22.39 sq mi (57.98 km²).

FAQs

What is the crime rate in Shelby, NC?

With a crime rate of 35 per one thousand residents, Shelby has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 29. Within North Carolina, more than 84% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Shelby.

What is the poverty rate in Shelby, NC?

In 2022, the median household income of Shelby households was $46,176. Shelby households made slightly more than Atlantic households ($46,106) and Salemburg households ($46,071). However, 15.4% of Shelby families live in poverty.

Is Shelby, NC expensive?

Shelby is 18% less expensive than the national average and 10% less expensive to live in than the average city in North Carolina. This assumes a $72,000 annual salary and a 2-bedroom Apt. Food costs in Shelby are more affordable than average in the United States. Transportation costs in Shelby are more affordable than average in the United States.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Shelby

Cleveland County, NC

Atrium Health Cleveland 

Shelby Parks and Recreation Department

Planet Fitness 

The Lifting LAB

Carolina Harmony Trail 

First Broad River Trail

Earl Scruggs Center

Broad River Greenway

Don Gibson Theatre

NeighborhoodScout

North Carolina Demographics

Erieri

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