Lawndale is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States, situated along the First Broad River.

Lawndale developed in the late 19th century around the Cleveland Mills plant established by Major H.F. Schenck.

The town was named for the green lawns of the houses where many of the mill's workers lived.

Schenck's daughter and son-in-law opened the Piedmont Academy in 1897, and rail service to Shelby began two years later.

There were 300 housing units at an average density of 369.9 per square mile (142.8/km2).