George Sperling House and Outbuildings · Photo: Upstateherd · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Shelby is healthier than 17% of U.S. towns
Shelby differs from North Carolina on 17 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 16 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Shelby. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Shelby
Stroke, COPD and diabetes run high in Shelby
1 in 19 adults have had a stroke (5.2%), vs 3.6% across North Carolina. 1 in 10 adults have COPD (9.9%), vs 7.1% across North Carolina. Diabetes is also above the state: 16%, vs 12% across North Carolina. In all, Shelby runs above North Carolina on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Shelby
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (22.5%), vs 15.2% across North Carolina. Utility shut-off threats (12.6% vs 8.1%) and no reliable transportation (11.8% vs 8.4%) are higher too. 21.4% of adults receive SNAP, vs 12.3% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in Shelby
56.3% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.6% across North Carolina. Among those 65 and older, 20.4% have lost all their teeth (North Carolina 13.9%). Checkups ↓
Shelby is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Shelby is healthier than 17%. Against the 5,170 towns with similar household incomes ($36K–$60K), it’s healthier than 46%. Health Grade ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the North Carolina figure falls outside Shelby’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to B−.
What’s behind Shelby’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Shelby is healthier than 17% of U.S. towns, #241 of 289 in North Carolina. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 37% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (better than 10%).
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Shelby’s median household income is $48,376; among the 5,170 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($36K–$60K), it’s healthier than 46%, about where its income would put it.
Where Shelby compares well: taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 79.7% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Shelby adults…
Shelby runs above NC on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
21.4% of Shelby adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.3% across North Carolina.
Keeping up with care
Share of Shelby adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks North Carolina.
Care in and near Shelby
1 hospital and 1 community health center in Shelby, plus the nearest just outside it.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Shelby; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Everyday habits, side by side with North Carolina
Share of adults, with the North Carolina figure marked.
3.8 miles of trails across 10 parks and preserves
How Shelby adults are doing
About the same as North Carolina on each measure.
1 in 3 Shelby adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Shelby and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Shelby adults live with a disability (North Carolina 32%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Shelby
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Shelby is better than North Carolina on 1 and worse on 16; on the rest, the North Carolina figure falls inside Shelby’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Shelby | NC | U.S. | vs NC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 24.9%22–27.8 | 19% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.5%13.6–17.3 | 12.7% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.8%15.7–19.8 | 16.5% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 41.4%32.6–49.4 | 35.1% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 16%14–18.1 | 12% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 45.1%40.5–49.3 | 36.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38.5%33.8–42.7 | 35.6% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 32.3%28.7–35.8 | 26.9% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.1%10.7–13.5 | 10.8% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.5%7.7–9.3 | 7.9% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.5%7.7–9.4 | 6.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 9.9%8.8–11 | 7.1% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.2%4.8–5.6 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 20.4%16.9–24.1 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 17%14.7–19.4 | 13.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 30.3%25.7–34.9 | 23.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 12.2%9.8–14.7 | 14.7% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 36.9%30–43.9 | 34.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 11.6%9.9–13.3 | 10.4% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 82.1%78.7–84.9 | 80% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 56.3%52.2–60.1 | 63.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 87.6%85.9–89.1 | 87.5% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.7%77–82 | 76.7% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 65%59.5–70 | 65.7% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 77.6%69.6–84.1 | 78.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 24.5%20.8–28.2 | 24.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 33.9%28.9–39.4 | 32.5% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 24.4%20.9–28.1 | 22.5% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 22.5%19.9–25.3 | 15.2% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 16.9%14.8–19.2 | 12.2% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 12.6%11.1–14.2 | 8.1% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 11.8%10.5–13.2 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 21.4%19–24.1 | 12.3% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 38.7%34–43.1 | 32% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 20%17.7–22.4 | 14.2% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 17.2%15.3–19.2 | 14.8% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 8.7%7.7–9.7 | 7.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 7.9%7.2–8.6 | 5.3% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.3%10.1–12.5 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.1%5.6–6.7 | 4% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the North Carolina figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Shelby
Is Shelby a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Shelby is healthier than 17% of U.S. towns: ≈ C− for health, #241 of 289 in North Carolina. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 46%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Shelby?
CDC estimates 41.4% of adults have obesity, likely between 32.6% and 49.4%, against 35.1% across North Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Shelby?
Atrium Health Cleveland in Shelby, 0.9 miles in a straight line from Shelby’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Shelby have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 11.6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.9–13.3%), against 10.4% across North Carolina.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Shelby more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to B−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Shelby.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The North Carolina figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.