Shelby ZIP Codes — Cleveland County, NC

There are 3 unique ZIP codes in Shelby, North Carolina. Area code: 704/980.

ZIP codes

188.98

sq mi land

1.87

sq mi water

704/980

area code

Shelby, NC ZIP code map

About Shelby, NC

Shelby, North Carolina, is a charming city situated in the heart of Cleveland County. Known for its rich history and welcoming community, Shelby provides a blend of small-town charm and access to modern amenities. The city prides itself on its vibrant cultural scene and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Location & geography

Shelby is located in the western part of North Carolina, approximately 30 miles west of the bustling city of Charlotte. The city's land area encompasses 188.98 square miles, with a small water area of 1.87 square miles, creating a diverse environment that includes parks and lakes. Nearby cities include Kings Mountain approximately 18 miles to the east, Gaffney to the south around 20 miles, and Boiling Springs just 8 miles to the west.

Community & economy

The community of Shelby is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and strong local traditions. The city has a diverse economy, with industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture playing significant roles in daily life. Residents enjoy a close-knit community with various events, local shops, and parks that foster social connections.

Transportation

Major transportation routes include U.S. Highway 74, which provides convenient access to surrounding areas and connects to larger interstate highways. The nearest commercial airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport, located about 35 miles away in Charlotte. Public transit options are limited; however, local bus services and ride-sharing options are available.

History

Shelby was founded in the late 18th century and quickly developed into a key regional hub, driven by textile manufacturing and agriculture. Over the years, notable events, such as the annual Cleveland County Fair, have highlighted the city’s rich cultural heritage. The historical significance of Shelby is also marked by its well-preserved architecture and a vibrant downtown area.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Shelby is that it is home to the famous Don Gibson Theatre, named after the renowned country music singer who was born in the area. Additionally, Shelby has been recognized as a Great American Main Street by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, highlighting its dedication to preserving its historic downtown.

ZIP codes for Shelby, NC (3)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28150	Shelby	Cleveland	View map
28151	Shelby	Cleveland	View map
28152	Shelby	Cleveland	View map

Demographics & statistics

51,913

Population

43.0

Median age

$49,233

Median household income

$28,905

Per capita income

$158,600

Median home value

$799

Median monthly rent

67.4%

Home ownership

18.5%

Poverty rate

6.4%

Unemployment

17,711

Housing units

22.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,448

Under 5

1,623

1,515

5–9

1,698

1,466

10–14

1,642

1,683

15–19

1,886

1,550

20–24

1,737

2,809

25–34

3,147

2,596

35–44

2,908

3,018

45–54

3,382

1,788

55–59

2,004

1,674

60–64

1,875

3,034

65–74

3,400

1,390

75–84

1,557

511

85+

572

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	11,606	22.4%
18 and over	40,307	77.7%
65 and over	10,464	20.2%
Median age	43.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 63.2%

Black or African American 26.1%

Two or more races 4.1%

Hispanic or Latino 3.3%

Other race 2%

Asian 0.9%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	33,937	63.2%
Black or African American	14,016	26.1%
Two or more races	2,224	4.1%
Hispanic or Latino	1,744	3.3%
Other race	1,076	2%
Asian	486	0.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	111	0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	63	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 8.1%

$10k–$15k 6.8%

$15k–$25k 9.8%

$25k–$35k 11.7%

$35k–$50k 14.2%

$50k–$75k 16.2%

$75k–$100k 12.1%

$100k–$150k 12.3%

$150k–$200k 4.3%

$200k+ 4.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	8.1%
$10k–$15k	6.8%
$15k–$25k	9.8%
$25k–$35k	11.7%
$35k–$50k	14.2%
$50k–$75k	16.2%
$75k–$100k	12.1%
$100k–$150k	12.3%
$150k–$200k	4.3%
$200k+	4.8%
Median income	$49,233

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.4%

$50k–$100k 15.9%

$100k–$150k 22.1%

$150k–$200k 16.3%

$200k–$300k 20.5%

$300k–$500k 11.7%

$500k–$1M 4.7%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$158,600
Median rent / month	$799
Owner occupied	67.4%
Renter occupied	32.7%
Vacant	17.2%
Single-family detached	70.8%
Large apartment buildings	2.3%
Mobile homes	14.1%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.59

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	3.3%
2000–2009	11.3%
1990–1999	14.5%
1980–1989	14.8%
1970–1979	22.9%
1960–1969	13.8%
1950–1959	8.5%
1940–1949	5.0%
1939 or earlier	5.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.8%
1 bedroom	6.4%
2 bedrooms	27.5%
3 bedrooms	51.5%
4 bedrooms	10.8%
5+ bedrooms	3.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.1%
1 vehicle	33.6%
2 vehicles	34.9%
3 or more	25.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	25.3%
Electricity	70.0%
Propane / LP gas	1.7%
Fuel oil	1.5%
Wood	1.0%
No fuel used	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	8,762	43.8%
Cohabiting couple	1,066	5.3%
Male householder, no spouse	3,261	16.0%
Female householder, no spouse	6,990	35.0%
Households with children under 18	5,649	28.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	7,634	37.7%
Average household size	2.56

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	35.3%	27.6%
Married	48.9%	43.5%
Separated	3.1%	3.3%
Widowed	4.2%	10.4%
Divorced	8.6%	15.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.6%

Some HS, no diploma 7.5%

HS graduate 32.6%

Some college, no degree 20.5%

Associate's degree 13.5%

Bachelor's degree 14.0%

Graduate / professional 8.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.9%
Bachelor's or higher	22.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	693	5.9%
Kindergarten	544	4.6%
Elementary school	5,060	42.5%
High school	2,726	23.3%
College / grad school	2,932	23.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.0%

Manufacturing 19.2%

Retail trade 14.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.3%

Construction 6.7%

Professional & management 6.7%

Other services 6.2%

Transportation & utilities 5.7%

Public administration 3.4%

Finance & real estate 3.1%

Information 1.0%

Wholesale trade 1.0%

Agriculture & mining 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.4%
Service	18.0%
Sales & office	19.6%
Natural resources & construction	8.9%
Production & transportation	21.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.8%
Government	12.5%
Self-employed	4.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	82.3%
Carpool	8.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.2%
Other means	0.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.2

Poverty

All people 18.5%

Under 18 years 28.8%

18 and over 15.5%

Married-couple families 5.7%

Female-led households 34.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.2%
Retirement income	24.4%
Supplemental Security	5.0%
Cash public assistance	2.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	19.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.4%
High cholesterol	35.3%
Heart disease	7.6%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	10.0%
Arthritis	27.9%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	8.5%
Cancer	6.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.1%
No physical activity	26.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.2%
Fair or poor health	17.4%
Poor mental health	15.3%
Poor physical health	12.5%
No health insurance	19.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.9%
Visited dentist	61.1%
Cholesterol screening	89.4%
Teeth loss	18.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	3,460	8.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.6%
Under 18	5.7%
18–64 years	13.6%
65 and over	37.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	55.4%
Public insurance	46.0%
Uninsured under 19	5.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	48,842	94.1%
Spanish	898	1.9%
Other Indo-European	624	1.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	195	0.4%
Other languages	79	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	50,489	97.3%
Born in same state	50,177	96.7%
Born in different state	37,937	73.1%
Foreign born	312	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	1,424	2.7%
Not a US citizen	724	46.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	12,263	23.6%
French	5,163	9.9%
Italian	3,090	6%
German	153	0.3%
English	142	0.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	23	0%
Irish	17	0%
Norwegian	9	0%
Polish	2	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.7%
Internet access	88.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Shelby, NC have?

Shelby, NC has two ZIP codes: 28150 and 28152. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.