Small-town market profile · North Carolina
Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC area market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area, each scored against other small-town markets.
- Population, 2025
- 103,325
- +3.4% since 2020
- Households
- 38,850
- Median household income
- $58,534
- +38.6% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $200,000
- Jobs located here
- 34,727
- Highest market score
- 91
- Insurance agencies, #11 of 537 scored small-town markets
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Shelby-Kings Mountain area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 103,325 people live in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area, in 38,850 households. Population estimates show the Shelby-Kings Mountain area grew 3.4% from 2020 to 2025, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). The median household income in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area is $58,534 a year, 27% below the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 38.6% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 141, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on memberships, classes and admissions (57).
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area are for insurance agencies (91), veterinarians (82) and pet stores (80). The Shelby-Kings Mountain area ranks #11 of 537 scored small-town markets for insurance agencies.
The Shelby-Kings Mountain area is made up of one county, Cleveland County. For its number of households, the Shelby-Kings Mountain area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for convenience stores (86% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for real estate agents and brokers (59% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Shelby-Kings Mountain area with other small-town markets for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among small-town markets | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance agencies | 91 | #11 of 537 | 40 | 10.3 | $2.7M | 214 | 21 |
| Veterinarians | 82 | #12 of 398 | 10 | 2.6 | $3M | 109 | 5 |
| Pet stores | 80 | #12 of 220 | 5 | 1.3 | $6M | 132 | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | 77 | #11 of 142 | 7 | 1.8 | $7.3M | 114 | 12 |
| Laundromats | 75 | #16 of 150 | 5 | 1.3 | $12.9M | 103 | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 74 | #13 of 177 | 5 | 1.3 | Index only | 272 | Under 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | 74 | #57 of 441 | 14 | 3.6 | $2.7M | 107 | 4 |
| Roofing and gutters | 72 | #36 of 288 | 10 | 2.6 | $9.8M | 116 | 4 |
| Pet businesses | 71 | #50 of 527 | 35 | 9.0 | $850K | 97 | 15 |
| Funeral homes | 71 | #56 of 365 | 11 | 2.8 | $537K | 79 | 8 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 69 | #64 of 529 | 28 | 7.2 | $4.5M | 123 | 10 |
| Gyms | 67 | #67 of 506 | 14 | 3.6 | $1.6M | 120 | 8 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 67 | #75 of 400 | 11 | 2.8 | $3.5M | 111 | 5 |
| Physical therapy | 67 | #78 of 400 | 13 | 3.3 | $3M | 123 | 7 |
| Gas stations | 67 | #99 of 536 | 54 | 13.9 | $2.3M | 97 | 65 |
| Pest control | 66 | #20 of 85 | 9 | 2.3 | $5.7M | 55 | 4 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 66 | #85 of 507 | 27 | 6.9 | $4.7M | 114 | 10 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 65 | #81 of 533 | 49 | 12.6 | Index only | 199 | 22 |
| Chiropractors | 64 | #105 of 426 | 15 | 3.9 | $2.6M | 107 | 7 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 63 | #102 of 387 | 12 | 3.1 | $3.2M | 102 | 11 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 63 | #140 of 538 | 309 | 79.5 | $412K | 111 | 152 |
| Electricians | 61 | #83 of 295 | 12 | 3.1 | $8.2M | 68 | 19 |
| Property management | 60 | #48 of 180 | 7 | 1.8 | Index only | 136 | 20 |
| Real estate | 60 | #131 of 536 | 63 | 16.2 | Index only | 194 | 50 |
| Spas and skin care | 59 | #159 of 504 | 29 | 7.5 | $1.1M | 120 | 4 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 59 | #181 of 526 | 31 | 8.0 | $1.2M | 126 | 17 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 58 | #137 of 387 | 14 | 3.6 | $2.1M | 84 | 10 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 58 | #188 of 538 | 178 | 45.8 | $715K | 108 | 62 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 57 | #140 of 399 | 20 | 5.1 | $2.5M | 87 | 41 |
| Tire shops | 53 | #198 of 431 | 26 | 6.7 | $1.5M | 58 | 6 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 53 | #245 of 536 | 50 | 12.9 | $1.3M | 102 | 23 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 52 | #221 of 481 | 36 | 9.3 | $1.4M | 84 | 57 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 52 | #246 of 535 | 31 | 8.0 | $707K | 107 | 17 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 51 | #260 of 536 | 70 | 18.0 | $922K | 105 | 26 |
| Auto repair and car care | 51 | #264 of 538 | 165 | 42.5 | $229K | 85 | 64 |
| Pizza | 49 | #265 of 520 | 31 | 8.0 | $4.1M | 81 | 77 |
| Home repair trades | 47 | #303 of 526 | 52 | 13.4 | $1.9M | 78 | 63 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 46 | #313 of 537 | 53 | 13.6 | $2.4M | 79 | 77 |
| Auto repair shops | 46 | #326 of 538 | 103 | 26.5 | $367K | 83 | 49 |
| Barbershops | 45 | #226 of 377 | 18 | 4.6 | $1.7M | 90 | Under 3 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 45 | #341 of 538 | 170 | 43.8 | $180K | 85 | 17 |
| Grocery stores | 44 | #324 of 506 | 32 | 8.2 | $6.7M | 73 | 18 |
| Hair salons | 42 | #363 of 538 | 98 | 25.2 | $312K | 73 | 12 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 40 | #340 of 476 | 30 | 7.7 | $3.3M | 69 | 40 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 39 | #266 of 378 | 15 | 3.9 | $1.5M | 72 | 9 |
| Nail salons | 38 | #276 of 387 | 23 | 5.9 | $1.3M | 80 | Under 3 |
| Child care and preschools | 38 | #332 of 454 | 28 | 7.2 | $487K | 49 | 25 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 37 | #400 of 538 | 336 | 86.5 | $114K | 75 | 91 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 37 | #405 of 538 | 103 | 26.5 | $2.1M | 62 | 37 |
| Convenience stores | 34 | #419 of 529 | 58 | 14.9 | $3.7M | 47 | 19 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 33 | #358 of 458 | 38 | 9.8 | $1M | 57 | 55 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 5 | 1.3 | $7.6M | 55 | 5 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.0 | $16.1M | 103 | 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.5 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.5 | $19.2M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.5 | $11M | Too few | 8 |
Household spending in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $37.8M | $974 | 102 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $124.9M | $3,214 | 124 |
| Food away from home | $127.3M | $3,278 | 81 |
| Groceries | $215.9M | $5,558 | 88 |
| Personal care products and services | $30.6M | $788 | 78 |
| Child care and other personal services | $13.6M | $351 | 60 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $21.9M | $564 | 57 |
| Medical and dental services | $38.4M | $989 | 77 |
| Pets | $29.8M | $766 | 84 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $64.5M | $1,661 | 81 |
| Vehicle insurance | $107.3M | $2,762 | 141 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $98.1M | $2,526 | 84 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $51M | $1,312 | 93 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $530.5M | $13,654 | 82 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 103,325+3.4% since 2020
- Households
- 38,850
- Median age
- 41.3
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 71%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.1
- Land area
- 464 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 218
- Median household income
- $58,534+38.6% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $76,018
- Median home value
- $200,000
- Jobs located here
- 34,727
- Daytime population
- 92,263Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area?
These figures cover the whole small-town market. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Shelby-Kings Mountain area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area 1
- Cleveland County, NC100,991 people
Other markets based in North Carolina 12
- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area2,768,407 people
- Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area1,487,302 people
- Greensboro-High Point, NC metro area786,419 people
- Winston-Salem, NC metro area689,766 people
- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area601,724 people
- Wilmington, NC metro area453,347 people
- Asheville, NC metro area414,711 people
- Fayetteville, NC metro area392,380 people
- Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area368,316 people
- Jacksonville, NC metro area207,906 people
- Greenville, NC metro area177,193 people
- Burlington, NC metro area176,893 people
Questions
How fast is the Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC area growing?
Population estimates put the Shelby-Kings Mountain area at 103,325 people in 2025, up 3.4% since 2020, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 38,850 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 38.6%, before inflation.
How much do households in the Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC area spend?
Households in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area spend about $530.5M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $215.9M on groceries and $127.3M on food away from home. Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 141, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on memberships, classes and admissions (57).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC area?
Of the business types scored in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area, insurance agencies (91), veterinarians (82) and pet stores (80) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For insurance agencies, that ranks #11 of 537 scored small-town markets.
How does the Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC area compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area is $58,534, 27% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 3.4% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $200,000, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for convenience stores (86% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for real estate agents and brokers (59% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. A small-town market is a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people and the county or counties tied to it by commuting. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 51 of the 56 business types have a score in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area, each ranked against other small-town markets.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in North Carolina · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the Shelby-Kings Mountain area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Shelby-Kings Mountain area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.