Population
103,325
2025
+3.4% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Cleveland County, NC growth snapshot
Cleveland County had an estimated 103,325 residents in 2025, up 3.4% (3,399 more people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 81st fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+952
2025
9.2 per 1,000 residents
+4,566 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
35,958
2025
+4.9% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$1,037
2025
+24.1% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
4.4%
2025
+0.1 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
555
2025
+39.4% since 2021
5.4 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$58,534
2020–24
+34.5% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
30,800
2023
+1.1% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 952 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 35,958 jobs in 2025, +4.9% since 2020 (85th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,037.
Unemployment averaged 4.4% in 2025, 0.1 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 555 new homes in 2025, or 5.4 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $58,534 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +34.5% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 888th.
Part of the Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC micro area.
Cleveland County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 103,325 | +819 |
| 2024 | 102,506 | +900 |
| 2023 | 101,606 | +833 |
| 2022 | 100,773 | +295 |
| 2021 | 100,478 | +552 |
| 2020 | 99,926 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Cleveland County
Cleveland County grew by 3,399 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+4,566).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −228 | −1,672 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +104 | +521 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +952 | +4,566 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −9 | −16 | |
| Total change | +819 | +3,399 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 56th of 100 | 888th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 39th of 100 | 600th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 78th of 100 | 1,711th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 58th of 100 | 2,196th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 31st of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 77th of 100 | 2,030th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 52nd of 100 | 552nd of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Cleveland County's population change (+3.4%) was ahead of 2 of its 6 neighbouring counties and behind 4.
4 of its 6 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Cleveland County's $58,534 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland County, NC This county | 103,325 | +3.4% | 9.2 | 5.4 | $58,534 |
| Lincoln County, NC | 98,654 | +13.2% | 10.1 | 8.0 | $80,016 |
| Rutherford County, NC | 65,745 | +2.1% | 8.6 | 4.1 | $51,410 |
| Cherokee County, SC | 58,275 | +3.6% | 7.7 | 4.9 | $50,288 |
| Gaston County, NC | 246,558 | +7.8% | 10.6 | 9.5 | $67,478 |
| Burke County, NC | 88,655 | +1.6% | 5.5 | 6.6 | $58,592 |
| York County, SC | 306,887 | +8.1% | 6.7 | 8.6 | $89,095 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Cleveland County?
About 103,325 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Cleveland County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 3.4% between 2020 and 2025, about 3,399 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 81st of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Cleveland County?
On net, about 952 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Cleveland County?
Employers there reported 35,958 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +4.9% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,037 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Cleveland County?
It averaged 4.4% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Cleveland County?
Building permits authorized 555 new housing units in 2025, 5.4 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Cleveland County?
$58,534 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Cleveland County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 56th of 100 for population growth; 39th of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 78th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 58th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 888th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.