Cleveland County, North Carolina

Cleveland County is a county located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the western Piedmont, and on the southern border of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 98,078.[1] Its county seat is Shelby.[2]

Not to be confused with Cleveland, North Carolina.
Cleveland County
U.S. county
The west side of the old Cleveland County Courthouse, Shelby
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°20′N 81°34′W
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1841
Named forColonel Benjamin Cleveland
SeatShelby
Largest cityShelby
Area
 • Total468 sq mi (1,210 km2)
 • Land464 sq mi (1,200 km2)
 • Water4.0 sq mi (10 km2)  0.9%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
97,947
 • Density211/sq mi (81/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district10th
Websitewww.clevelandcounty.com

Cleveland County comprises the Shelby, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area. This is included in the Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC Combined Statistical Area. In the late 19th and early 20th century, this was an area of textile mills.

History

The county was formed in 1841 from parts of Lincoln and Rutherford counties. It was named for Benjamin Cleveland, a colonel in the American Revolutionary War, who took part in the Battle of King's Mountain. From 1841 to 1887 "Cleaveland" was the spelling used; the present spelling was adopted in 1887.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 468 square miles (1,210 km2), of which 464 square miles (1,200 km2) is land and 4.0 square miles (10 km2) (0.9%) is water.[4]

Cleveland County is part of the South Mountains, a sub-range of the Blueridge Mountains that runs through the county's northwest corner. In the south east corner of the county is Crowders & Kings Mountains, part of a small narrow ridge that sits above the very near surrounding area. They are part of a very old remnant of The Appalachians and used to be much larger. Overall Cleveland County is very hilly, and even mountainous in certain parts, though not to the extreme as counties to the west or north.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
185010,396—
186012,34818.8%
187012,6962.8%
188016,57130.5%
189020,39423.1%
190025,07823.0%
191029,49417.6%
192034,27216.2%
193051,91451.5%
194058,05511.8%
195064,35710.9%
196066,0482.6%
197072,5569.9%
198083,43515.0%
199084,7141.5%
200096,28713.7%
201098,0781.9%
2019 (est.)97,947[5]−0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2014[1]

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 98,078 people, 37,046 households, and 27,006 families residing in the county. The population density was 207 people per square mile (80/km2). There were 40,317 housing units at an average density of 87 per square mile (34/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 74% White, 21% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Of any race, 3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.

There were 37,046 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.00% were married couples living together, 13.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 25.20% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,283, and the median income for a family was $41,733. Males had a median income of $30,882 versus $21,995 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,395. About 10.10% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.90% of those under age 18 and 14.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities
Map of Cleveland County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Cities

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated community

Politics, law and government

Cleveland is a typical "Solid South" county in its voting patterns. It was rock-ribbed Democratic until 1968 when a majority voted for George Wallace. In 1972 the county voted overwhelmingly for Richard Nixon, and since then Cleveland has become strongly Republican. The last Democrat to carry Cleveland County was Jimmy Carter in 1980.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 65.9% 33,798 33.1% 16,955 1.1% 555
2016 63.8% 28,479 33.5% 14,964 2.8% 1,230
2012 59.5% 25,793 39.4% 17,062 1.1% 485
2008 59.5% 26,078 39.6% 17,363 0.9% 394
2004 61.4% 22,750 38.3% 14,215 0.3% 114
2000 58.2% 19,064 41.1% 13,455 0.7% 227
1996 47.7% 13,474 45.1% 12,728 7.2% 2,039
1992 44.7% 13,650 42.7% 13,037 12.6% 3,835
1988 57.5% 14,039 42.3% 10,321 0.2% 37
1984 62.2% 17,095 37.5% 10,288 0.3% 89
1980 46.1% 10,828 52.0% 12,219 1.9% 451
1976 35.9% 8,106 63.8% 14,406 0.3% 76
1972 72.1% 13,726 26.2% 4,994 1.7% 328
1968 32.3% 7,298 25.0% 5,661 42.7% 9,649
1964 42.1% 7,874 57.9% 10,836
1960 43.9% 8,257 56.1% 10,545
1956 45.7% 7,076 54.3% 8,408
1952 43.9% 7,606 56.1% 9,709
1948 20.6% 1,905 65.2% 6,039 14.2% 1,317
1944 24.4% 2,636 75.6% 8,170
1940 17.4% 1,970 82.6% 9,346
1936 15.7% 2,116 84.3% 11,393
1932 19.2% 1,904 80.6% 8,016 0.3% 25
1928 49.2% 4,766 50.8% 4,914
1924 31.5% 1,743 67.8% 3,749 0.7% 37
1920 36.3% 2,953 63.7% 5,181
1916 35.1% 1,497 64.9% 2,764
1912 2.4% 81 69.7% 2,351 27.9% 943

Cleveland County is a member of the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission[12][13] regional council of governments.

Education

Cleveland County Schools

Cleveland County Schools has 29 schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade, comprising five high schools, two alternative schools, four middle schools, two intermediate schools (grades 5 and 6), and sixteen elementary schools.[14][15] It was formed from the 2004 merger of Kings Mountain City Schools, Shelby City Schools and the former Cleveland County Schools.[16][17]

Post-secondary

The 2000 disappearance of Asha Degree, a Shelby girl, was discussed on television shows including America's Most Wanted, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, and The Montel Williams Show.[19][20]

Parts of the 2012 movie The Hunger Games were filmed in Cleveland County.[21]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. "Cleaveland County, North Carolina" Archived 2012-07-19 at Archive.today, Mousely.com, Retrieved 2010-12-30.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
  12. Isothermal Planning and Development Commission (regional council) Archived 2014-07-07 at Archive.today
  13. Isothermal Planning and Development Commission (NC Tomorrow) Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine
  14. "Cleveland County Schools". NC School Report Cards. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  15. "Schools". Cleveland County Schools. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  16. "Court affirms school merger approved by the State Board of Education". University of North Carolina School of Government. Summer 2003. Archived from the original on February 23, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  17. "Moore Will Head Merged Schools, Parents Await First Changes to Cleveland County School System". The Charlotte Observer. January 14, 2004. p. 2B.
  18. "Contact ABC". Ambassador Bible College. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  20. EndPlay (2010-09-09). "'Good Morning America' Profiles Local Girl's Disappearance". WSOC. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
  21. Pickens, Jessica. "Cleveland County, NC, a popular spot for filming movies, TV shows". Halifax Media Group. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  22. "Bill Champion's career statistics". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-29.
  23. "About Kay Hagan". United States Senate. Archived from the original on 2009-05-27. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  24. "Tom Wright's career statistics". retrosheet.org. Retrieved 2008-09-08.

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