Shelby 75 Excellent
Shelby Livability #38 ranked city in North Carolina#3,594 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Shelby

PROS
  • Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

  • Employment

    This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.

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What's it like Living in Shelby?

Located in the state of North Carolina, Shelby is a moderately-sized city with a population of 20,046 inhabitants. Shelby is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (58%) and Black or African American (35%). If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Shelby. With an average one way commute time of only 21 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Shelby, North Carolina. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Shelby and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes cost of living, education, housing and other important metrics.

The livability score in Shelby is 76/100 and the city is ranked in the 90th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the US average, Shelby ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Shelby ranks better than 90% of all US cities! There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Shelby ranks well for amenities (B+), cost of living (A+) and housing (B+) There is at least one category that did not score well in Shelby. The following was graded with a concerning score: crime (F), education (D) and employment (F).

If you're living in Shelby, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Shelby an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Shelby excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Shelby is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Shelby come in at $132,900, which is 15.4% lower than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Shelby, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 3% higher than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Shelby

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Shelby?

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Compare Shelby, NC Livability

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      Shelby transportation information

      Statistic Shelby North Carolina National
      Average one way commute21min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.1%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.3%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.8%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home2.3%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Shelby, NC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).