Cleveland, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cleveland, North Carolina had a total population of 1,080, the 440th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $58,750, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 11.2% is notably above the national average.
Cleveland Quick Facts
How Cleveland Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,053 | 1,080 | +2.6% |
| Median household income | $60,063 | $58,750 | -2.2% |
| Median home value | $205,800 | $242,600 | +17.9% |
How Cleveland Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cleveland Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Rowan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | 35,825 | $53,716 | 26.3% | $242,500 |
| China Grove | 4,530 | $54,083 | 17.2% | $225,800 |
| Landis | 3,765 | $75,000 | 6.9% | $252,100 |
| Spencer | 3,349 | $65,465 | 11.2% | $201,700 |
| Enochville | 3,321 | $66,225 | 18.6% | $265,700 |
| Granite Quarry | 3,043 | $57,981 | 8.3% | $257,300 |
| Rockwell | 2,782 | $69,632 | 7.0% | $237,200 |
| East Spencer | 1,434 | $34,417 | 26.7% | $112,000 |
| Faith | 917 | $139,844 | 3.4% | $264,000 |
| Gold Hill | 914 | $73,187 | 12.4% | $279,600 |
Cities Similar to Cleveland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonnetsville | 1,063 | N/A | N/A | 5.1% | 62.8% |
| Columbus | 1,071 | $60,169 | $265,700 | 25.1% | 13.2% |
| Harkers Island | 1,060 | $60,000 | $313,100 | 18.3% | 10.4% |
| Kenansville | 1,090 | $61,364 | $127,400 | 21.1% | 28.7% |
| Germanton | 1,087 | $62,108 | $237,100 | 15.7% | 7.4% |
Population Overview
Cleveland is a small community located in North Carolina, within Rowan County. The total population is 1,080. It ranks as the 440th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cleveland is 37.0 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cleveland is $58,750. This is 19% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.2%. This is 32% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 11.2%. This is 138% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $242,600. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 79.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cleveland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.6%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
24.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cleveland, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cleveland, North Carolina?
Cleveland, North Carolina has a population of 1,080 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cleveland, NC?
The median household income in Cleveland is $58,750, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cleveland, NC?
The poverty rate in Cleveland is 17.2%. This means approximately 185 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cleveland, North Carolina?
Cleveland's population is 68.1% White, 18.6% Black, 10.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cleveland, NC?
The median home value in Cleveland is $242,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Cleveland, North Carolina?
24.1% of adults (25+) in Cleveland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.