County

Cleveland County, NC

14 ZIP codes  ·  12 cities  ·  North Carolina

👥107,100Population
💰$55,456Median HH Income▼ 27% below avg
🎂41.4Median Age
🏠$176,730Median Home Value▼ 37% below avg
🎓36.3%College Grads≈ Avg
📊5.7%Unemployment▲ 17% above avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 48.4% Female 51.6% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 71.6%Hispanic: 4.3%Black: 18.2%Asian: 1%Other: 4.6%Race
White71.6%
Hispanic4.3%
Black18.2%
Asian1.0%
Other4.6%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
6%
5–17
17%
18–24
9%
25–44
23%
45–64
27%
65+
9%

Key Indicators

Median Age41.4 yrs
Avg HH Size2.22
Below Poverty16.7% ▲ 67% above avg
College Grads36.3% ≈ Avg
Unemployment5.7% ▲ 17% above avg
No HS Diploma1,144 (1.7%)
HS Graduate21,847 (33.2%)
Some College8,991 (13.7%)
Associates9,907 (15.1%)
Bachelors9,680 (14.7%)
Graduate Degree14,257 (21.7%)

Education

No HS: 1.7%HS Grad: 33.2%Some College: 13.7%Associates: 15.1%Bachelors: 14.7%Graduate: 21.7%Edu
No HS1.7%
HS Grad33.2%
Some College13.7%
Associates15.1%
Bachelors14.7%
Graduate21.7%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 70.7%Renter: 29.4%Tenure
Owner70.7%
Renter29.4%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
11%
$50k–$100k
14%
$100k–$150k
18%
$150k–$200k
15%
$200k–$300k
24%
$300k–$500k
13%
Over $500k
6%

Financials

Median HH Income$55,456 ▼ 27% below avg
Median Home Value$176,729 ▼ 37% below avg
Home/Income Ratio3.2x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$835/mo
Total Housing Units46,826
Vacant Units7,092

Income Distribution

Under $25k
23%
$25k–$50k
19%
$50k–$75k
20%
$75k–$100k
12%
$100k–$150k
16%
$150k–$200k
6%
Over $200k
5%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
91%
Public Transit
0%
Walked
2%
Work From Home
7%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
31%
15–30 min
36%
30–45 min
16%
Over 45 min
16%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
3%
1940s–1950s
10%
1960s–1970s
16%
1980s–1990s
16%
2000+
55%
About Cleveland County, NC

Cleveland County is located in North Carolina and encompasses 14 ZIP codes spanning 12 cities and communities. The county has an estimated population of 107,100 residents. With a median age of 41.37, it is a middle-aged county.

Cleveland County has a solidly middle-class economic profile. The median household income of $55,456 is below the national average. Unemployment stands at 5.7%, above the national average. The poverty rate of 16.7% is significantly above the national average, indicating economic challenges.

Housing in Cleveland County is an affordable housing market, with a median home value of $176,729 — below the national average. Monthly median rent is approximately $834. Homeownership rates are high at 70.7%, reflecting a largely residential, stable population.

The residents of Cleveland County are primarily White (71.55%). Educational attainment is moderately educated — 36.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average.

Cleveland County, NC is a solidly middle-class area in North Carolina. The 14 ZIP codes within the county each have their own character — browse the full list below to find the right community, whether you're looking for affordable housing, strong schools, or economic opportunity.

ZIP Codes in Cleveland County
ZIPCityPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.College
28020 Casar 2,344 $61,750 $177,100 $775 4.6% 34.1%
28073 Grover 6,246 $55,466 $125,800 $870 11.1% 31.6%
28086 Kings Mountain 28,921 $56,079 $181,600 $879 4.2% 31.7%
28089 Lattimore 141 $76,250 36.0% 47.1%
28090 Lawndale 7,422 $52,224 $140,200 $680 7.4% 37.6%
28114 Mooresboro 7,568 $60,439 $132,400 $707 5.6% 24.2%
28136 Polkville 92 $78,125 0.0% 68.7%
28150 Shelby 26,447 $53,027 $195,600 $793 5.3% 42.1%
28152 Shelby 27,031 $55,926 $188,200 $904 6.1% 39.9%