Shelby, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shelby, North Carolina
|
|
---|---|
Location of Shelby, North Carolina
|
|
Country | United States |
State | North Carolina |
County | Cleveland |
Named for | Isaac Shelby |
Area | |
• Total | 22.35 sq mi (57.87 km2) |
• Land | 22.31 sq mi (57.79 km2) |
• Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2) |
Elevation | 869 ft (265 m) |
Population
(2010)
|
|
• Total | 20,323 |
• Estimate
(2019)
|
20,026 |
• Density | 897.54/sq mi (346.54/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
ZIP codes |
28150-28152
|
Area code | 704, 980 |
FIPS code | 37-61200 |
GNIS feature ID | 0994631 |
Website | cityofshelby.com |
Shelby is a city in and the county seat of Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. It lies near the western edge of the Charlotte combined statistical area. The population was 20,323 at the 2010 census.
Contents
History
The Banker's House, Joshua Beam House, Central Shelby Historic District, Cleveland County Courthouse, East Marion-Belvedere Park Historic District, James Heyward Hull House, Masonic Temple Building, Dr. Victor McBrayer House, George Sperling House and Outbuildings, Joseph Suttle House, Webbley, and West Warren Street Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
Shelby is located in south-central Cleveland County. U.S. 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.
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1880 | 990 | — | |
1890 | 1,394 | 40.8% | |
1900 | 1,874 | 34.4% | |
1910 | 3,127 | 66.9% | |
1920 | 3,609 | 15.4% | |
1930 | 10,789 | 198.9% | |
1940 | 14,037 | 30.1% | |
1950 | 15,508 | 10.5% | |
1960 | 17,698 | 14.1% | |
1970 | 16,328 | −7.7% | |
1980 | 15,310 | −6.2% | |
1990 | 14,669 | −4.2% | |
2000 | 19,477 | 32.8% | |
2010 | 20,323 | 4.3% | |
2019 (est.) | 20,026 | −1.5% | |
U.S. Decennial Census |
2020 census
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 11,169 | 50.96% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 8,383 | 38.25% |
Native American | 64 | 0.29% |
Asian | 228 | 1.04% |
Pacific Islander | 5 | 0.02% |
Other/Mixed | 947 | 4.32% |
Hispanic or Latino | 1,122 | 5.12% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 21,918 people, 8,013 households, and 4,887 families residing in the city.
Transportation
Highways
Shelby is served by US Highway 74 and its business route. US 74 Business travels through uptown Shelby along Marion St. and Warren St., giving travelers access to Shelby's growing central business district. Currently, a controlled-access highway (signed as US 74) is under construction from Mooresboro to Kings Mountain, which will bypass Shelby to the north. Upon completion of the project, Charlotte and Asheville will be connected by virtually uninterrupted freeway via Interstate 85, US Highway 74, and Interstate 26.
Shelby is also served by four North Carolina State Highways.
- North Carolina Highway 18
- North Carolina Highway 150
- North Carolina Highway 180
- North Carolina Highway 226
Airports
Shelby-Cleveland County Regional Airport serves the city and county. The airport is used mostly for general aviation and is owned by the city of Shelby. Commercial air service is provided within a 2-hour drive at Charlotte (CLT), Asheville (AVL), Concord (USA) and Greenville/Spartanburg (GSP).
Annual events
- Cleveland County Fair - Since 1924, the Cleveland County Fair has been home to what has become North Carolina’s largest agricultural fair and a highlight of traditional activities held annually in Cleveland County. Over 165,000 patrons visit each year's Cleveland County Fair. While known primarily for this event, the fairgrounds also host a wide variety of other events throughout the year.
- The Livermush Expo 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."
- Alive After Five Outdoor Concerts- Live music on the court square, presented by the Uptown Shelby Association and its community partners. Food and beverage vendors on site, Uptown restaurants open late for dinner.
- American Legion World Series - Between 2011 and 2019 Shelby will play host to the American Legion World Series with a view to becoming the permanent home of the tournament. Barring any major problems, the National Office of the American Legion has agreed to extend Shelby's contract for two additional five-year terms, making Keeter Stadium and Shelby High School home to the ALWS until 2029. In order to host the event Shelby High School's Hoyt S. Keeter Stadium underwent an extensive renovation and expansion to 5,500-capacity.
- The Foothill's Merry Go Round Festival is held annually the last weekend of every April at Shelby City Park. The event began in 1998 and features awesome amusement rides, live entertainment, and fireworks.
- The Shelby Hamfest sponsored by the Shelby Amateur Radio Club. Held annually at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds.
Attractions
The Don Gibson Theater in Uptown Shelby is named for country musician and Shelby native Don Gibson (see notable people section below). The theater occupies a former movie theater that has been converted to a venue for live music performances
The City of Shelby Parks and Recreation Department has something for all to enjoy and has for over 60 years. City Park spans 150 acres with beautifully kept ball fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, an aquatics center, a nine-hole golf course, miles of paved walking trails, horseshoe pits, and a sitting garden. There is also a Community Center with a 1,500 seat gymnasium with a stage. In addition City Park is home to the Historic Herchell Spillman Carousel and Gift Shop and restored Rotary Miniature Train. Over 800,000 people visit Shelby City Park annually.
The Earl Scruggs Center: Music and Stories from the American South opened on Jan 11, 2014. This high tech museum honors banjo innovator and legend Earl Scruggs.
Newgrass Brewing Company opened on August 8th, 2015. This brewery features hop-forward and Belgian-style beers that are complimented by an in-house kitchen that specializes in southern takes on high-end pub food. It is also a music venue and is dedicated to the progressive bluegrass movement kicked off by Earl Scruggs and his progenitors known as "Newgrass."
In popular culture
The film adaptation of Blood Done Sign My Name was filmed in Shelby, as well as the reaping scene in the film adaptation of The Hunger Games.
A fictionalized version of the city is the setting of HBO comedy show Eastbound & Down. Filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, it bears little geographic or cultural resemblance to the real place. Actor and writer Danny McBride chose the location as an inspiration because of its size, attitude, and name.
In the 10th episode of the TV show Make It or Break It, Shelby is mentioned as being the location of Lauren Tanner's mother.
On the 41st episode of the TV show Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, the host travels to the annual Livermush festival in Shelby.
Notable people
- Jo Adell, outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels.
- Bobby Bell, linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Alicia Bridges, disco singer
- Jonathan Bullard, NFL Defensive End
- Bill Champion, MLB player
- Morris Davis, colonel in US Air Force
- Asha Degree, child reported missing in 2000
- Thomas Dixon, Jr., minister, author
- Eddie Dodson, bank robber
- Robert Lee Durham, educator and lawyer
- Manny Fernandez, "The Raging Bull", professional wrestler
- David Flair, professional wrestler
- Charlotte Flair, professional wrestler
- Margaret Gardner Hoey, First Lady of North Carolina
- Oliver Max Gardner, 57th governor of North Carolina
- Alvin Gentry, head coach of the Sacramento Kings of the NBA
- Don Gibson, singer and songwriter; member of the Country Music Hall of Fame
- Charlie Harbison, Missouri University Defensive Backs Coach
- Kay Hagan, former senator for North Carolina
- Tre Harbison - NFL running back
- Robert Harrill, the Fort Fisher Hermit
- Keith E. Haynes, Maryland politician, lawyer
- Norris Hopper, MLB player
- Hatcher Hughes, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
- Charlie Justice, NFL player, two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up
- Doug Limerick, ABC radio newscaster
- Patty Loveless, country music singer
- Manteo Mitchell, 2012 Olympics silver medalist
- Scottie Montgomery, NFL wide receiver, Oakland Raiders, Arena Football League player, head coach at East Carolina University
- Kevin Nanney, Former professional Super Smash Brothers Melee player
- Dawson Odums, Southern University Football Head Coach
- Travis Padgett, Olympic athlete in track and field
- Floyd Patterson, heavyweight boxing champion, Boxing Hall of Famer
- Mel Phillips, former NFL safety, former NFL coach
- Stephanie Pogue, artist and art educator
- Nina Repeta, actress known for her role on Dawson's Creek
- Price D. Rice, U.S. Army Air Corps/U.S. Air Force officer/full-bird Colonel and member of the Tuskegee Airmen
- Earl Scruggs, banjo player and composer on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Isaac Shelby, soldier and Governor of Kentucky, for whom the city of Shelby is named
- Charlotte Smith, WNBA basketball player
- Brandon Spikes, linebacker for the New England Patriots
- Billy Standridge, NASCAR driver
- David Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer
- Cliff Washburn, NFL offensive tackle, Houston Texans
- Jim Washburn, NFL defensive line coach
- Edwin Y. Webb, politician and judge
- James L. Webb, politician and judge
- Fay Webb-Gardner, First Lady of North Carolina
- Tim Wilkison, tennis
- Robert Williams, Former NFL Cornerback
- Tom Wright, MLB player
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Shelby (Carolina del Norte) para niños