Shelby, North Carolina encyclopedia topics

Geography

Shelby is located at (35.288272, -81.537787).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.2 square miles (47.0 km²), of which, 18.1 square miles (47.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.11%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 19,477 people, 7,927 households, and 5,144 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,073.8 people per square mile (414.6/km²). There were 8,853 housing units at an average density of 488.1/sq mi (188.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 56.88% White, 40.97% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.56% of the population.

There were 7,927 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 20.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,345, and the median income for a family was $38,603. Males had a median income of $30,038 versus $21,362 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,708. About 14.3% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.

Schools in Cleveland County

Burns High School, Shelby High School, Kings Mountain High School, Crest High School, Burns Middle School, Crest Middle School, Shelby Middle School, Kings Mountain Middle School, Union Elementary, Fallston Elementary, Boiling Springs Elementary, Casar Elementary , Bethware Elementary, Graham Elementary, Grover Elementary, James Love Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, North Elementary, Springmore Elementary, Township 3 Elementary, Elizabeth Elementary, West Elementary, Davidson School, North Shelby School, Kings Mountain Intermediate, Marion Intermediate, Cleveland Community College, Gardner-Webb University, Ambassador Baptist College

Annual Events

Cleveland County Fair
Livermush Expo - Shelby, North Carolina hosts an annual Livermush Exposition, which began in 1987 to celebrate the unique delicacy. In that year the Cleveland County Commissioners and the Shelby City Council passed resolutions proclaiming that "livermush is the most delicious, most economical and most versatile of meats."

Famous, Notable Residents

Bobby Bell, NFL Hall of Famer
Donna Biggers, boxer
Alicia Bridges, disco singer
Todd Coffey, MLB player
Chris Coleman, NFL player, Tennessee Titans
Thomas Dixon, Jr., minister, author
Lenny Dykstra, MLB player
Manny Fernandez, "The Raging Bull", professional wrestler, former NFL player
Don Gibson, Country Music Hall of Famer
Willie Green, NFL wide receiver, two-time Super Bowl champion
Chris Hamrick, professional wrestler
Keith E. Haynes, Maryland Statesman, Lawyer
Trey Hill, Grammy-nominated Songwriter/Guitarist
Norris Hopper, MLB player
Hatcher Hughes, Pulitzer Prize winner
Charlie Justice, NFL player, two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up
Patty Loveless, country music singer
Nick Maddox, NFL running back
Scottie Montgomery, NFL wide receiver, Oakland Raiders, Arena Football League player
Earl Owensby, filmmaker, actor
Miles Lackey, former U.S. government official.
Floyd Patterson, heavyweight boxing champion, Boxing Hall Of Famer
Tony Scott, NFL cornerback
Earl Scruggs, banjo player and composer on Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Isaac Shelby, soldier, governor
Billy Standridge, NASCAR driver
Tim Steele, 3-time ARCA champion, NASCAR driver
David Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer
Tom Wright, MLB player
Morris Davis, Colonel in US Air Force
Tim Wilkinson, (professional tennis player)