Cleveland County, NC Distress Report: Foreclosure, Tax Liens & ZIPs (2026)
Where is distress concentrating in Cleveland County, North Carolina? DLRadar grades every Cleveland County ZIP 0-100 from foreclosure, tax-lien, mortgage and insurance records, peaking at 31/100. Here is the 2026 Cleveland County breakdown.
- Cleveland County's most distressed ZIP is 28017 at 31/100.
- 15 ZIP codes tracked in Cleveland County, averaging 31/100 distress.
- Cleveland County reads peak — home values up 1.9% year over year.
- Vacancy runs 19.3% across Cleveland County's tracked ZIPs, with a 17.4% poverty rate.
- The typical Cleveland County home is worth about $178,342 against a ~$56,408 median income.
- Lending headwind in Cleveland County sits at 9/100 — a forward read on distressed supply.
Based on DLRadar's public-record distress index, updated every month. Free to cite with attribution to DLRadar (dlradar.com).
| Rank | ZIP | Composite distress |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28017 | 31/100 |
| 2 | 28020 | 31/100 |
| 3 | 28021 | 31/100 |
| 4 | 28040 | 31/100 |
| 5 | 28042 | 31/100 |
| 6 | 28073 | 31/100 |
| 7 | 28086 | 31/100 |
| 8 | 28089 | 31/100 |
| 9 | 28114 | 31/100 |
| 10 | 28136 | 31/100 |
| 11 | 28150 | 31/100 |
| 12 | 28152 | 31/100 |
Most distressed ZIP codes in Cleveland County (composite distress 0-100, 2026)
What is driving Cleveland County distress
Cleveland County sits inside DLRadar's nationwide distress index, built entirely from public records. Its ZIPs average 31/100 composite distress. Every figure traces to a public source — FHFA HPI, CFPB mortgage delinquency, county recorder foreclosure and tax-lien filings, FEMA/NFIP for insurance, and Census ACS for demographics.
Cleveland County market phase and pricing
Cleveland County reads peak — home prices rose 1.9% over the last year. When prices ease, days-on-market stretch out, surfacing more motivated sellers.
See the distressed properties behind the data in Cleveland County
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Questions about this county
Which ZIP code leads Cleveland County on distress?
ZIP 28017 leads Cleveland County at 31/100, recomputed monthly from public records.
How would you describe the Cleveland County market phase?
Cleveland County is classified peak with a 1.9% year-over-year increase, following the FHFA House Price Index.
Where does the Cleveland County data come from?
Cleveland County draws on FHFA (peak trajectory), CFPB mortgage performance, county recorder filings, FEMA/NFIP and Census ACS — every one a public source. The scoring model does not change between counties, so these 15 ZIPs are comparable to anywhere else.
How much do distress scores vary between Cleveland County ZIP codes?
A single county score papers over real variation. Across the Cleveland County ZIPs DLRadar ranks, scores run from 31/100 in 28017 down to 31/100 in 28152, against a Cleveland County average of 31/100. Because the gap runs to 0 points, Cleveland County rewards ZIP-level precision.
What do Cleveland County home values and vacancy say about distressed supply?
The typical Cleveland County home carries about $178,342 of value against a median household income near $56,408. Vacancy across Cleveland County's tracked ZIPs runs 19.3% and the poverty rate is 17.4%. Affordability pressure plus standing vacancy is what moves an owner from behind to selling, which is why it is paired with Cleveland County's filings and its 9/100 lending headwind.
Related
Scores are computed, not advised: public records, fixed formulas, monthly refresh. Not investment, legal or financial advice.