RANK #374 / 996 NAT · #21 / 51 NC · POP 99,527
1YR FORECAST: -0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
Cleveland County, North Carolina, is known for its scenic location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering residents access to rolling countryside and natural beauty. The county seat, Shelby, features a courthouse square and is recognized for its affordable housing. Other notable towns include Kings Mountain, with its historical significance related to the Revolutionary War, and Boiling Springs, home to Gardner-Webb University. Commuting within the county averages around 25 minutes, with public transportation options available through the Transportation Administration of Cleveland County (TACC), which also offers limited routes to neighboring counties. Outdoor recreation is a draw, with Moss Lake Park providing opportunities for fishing and waterskiing, and the Broad River Greenway offering trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Crowders Mountain State Park, less than 30 minutes from Shelby, provides rugged terrain for hiking and rock climbing.
Life in Cleveland County offers a small-town atmosphere, attracting families and individuals seeking a community-oriented environment. The public school system, Cleveland County Schools, serves over 14,000 students across 28 schools and is highly rated. The local economy, historically rooted in agriculture and textiles, has diversified, with recent growth in manufacturing, aerospace, and data center sectors. This shift has brought new opportunities, and the county focuses on workforce development through partnerships with institutions like Cleveland Community College to meet the needs of evolving industries.
Below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.3x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Enterprise Data Center Campus
Multiple Fortune 50 companies (unnamed)
|
$1,000M | Operating |
|
Kings Mountain Energy Center
NTE Energy LLC (affiliate NTE Carolinas)
|
$600M | Operating |
|
PPG Manufacturing Center
PPG
|
$380M | Planned |
|
Broad River Solar Plant
Duke Energy Renewables
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 62/100, Cleveland County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.9%, and median household income stands at $50,723 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NC.
Housing in Cleveland County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $155,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $794/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Cleveland County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.9%). Home values shifted -3.5% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.93% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cleveland County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.