City

Banner Elk, NC

1 ZIP code  ·  Avery County  ·  North Carolina

👥7,280Population
💰$64,052Median HH Income▼ 16% below avg
🎂42.5Median Age
🏠$319,200Median Home Value▲ 14% above avg
🎓53.9%College Grads▲ 39% above avg
📊5.0%Unemployment≈ Avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 49.1% Female 51.0% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 87.6%Hispanic: 6.3%Black: 1.5%Asian: 0.9%Other: 3.2%Race
White87.6%
Hispanic6.3%
Black1.5%
Asian0.9%
Other3.2%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
3%
5–17
14%
18–24
15%
25–44
19%
45–64
24%
65+
13%

Key Indicators

Median Age42.5 yrs
Avg HH Size2.20
Below Poverty8.8% ▼ 12% below avg
College Grads53.9% ▲ 39% above avg
Unemployment5.0% ≈ Avg
No HS Diploma49 (1.1%)
HS Graduate810 (17.8%)
Some College576 (12.7%)
Associates665 (14.6%)
Bachelors391 (8.6%)
Graduate Degree2,059 (45.3%)

Education

No HS: 1.1%HS Grad: 17.8%Some College: 12.7%Associates: 14.6%Bachelors: 8.6%Graduate: 45.3%Edu
No HS1.1%
HS Grad17.8%
Some College12.7%
Associates14.6%
Bachelors8.6%
Graduate45.3%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 76.5%Renter: 23.5%Tenure
Owner76.5%
Renter23.5%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
4%
$50k–$100k
6%
$100k–$150k
8%
$150k–$200k
12%
$200k–$300k
18%
$300k–$500k
34%
Over $500k
18%

Financials

Median HH Income$64,052 ▼ 16% below avg
Median Home Value$319,200 ▲ 14% above avg
Home/Income Ratio5.0x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$932/mo
Total Housing Units9,148
Vacant Units6,192

Income Distribution

Under $25k
14%
$25k–$50k
24%
$50k–$75k
13%
$75k–$100k
18%
$100k–$150k
16%
$150k–$200k
6%
Over $200k
8%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
83%
Walked
3%
Work From Home
14%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
33%
15–30 min
37%
30–45 min
19%
Over 45 min
11%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
3%
1940s–1950s
5%
1960s–1970s
19%
1980s–1990s
19%
2000+
54%
About Banner Elk, NC

Banner Elk is a city in North Carolina, located in Avery County. The city spans 1 ZIP code and is home to approximately 7,280 residents. It is a middle-aged city, with a median age of 42.5 years.

Economically, Banner Elk is a solidly middle-class community. The median household income of $64,052 is below the national average. Approximately 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is 5.0%, near the national average.

The real estate market in Banner Elk is a mid-range housing market. Median home values stand at $319,200, which is near the national average. Renters typically pay around $932 per month. Homeownership is high at 76.5%, typical of suburban and family-oriented communities.

The population of Banner Elk is well-educated. 53.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — above the national average. The community is primarily White (87.64%).

Banner Elk, NC offers residents a cost-conscious lifestyle within North Carolina.

ZIP Codes in Banner Elk
ZIPPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.CollegeOwner Occ.
28604 7,280 $64,052 $319,200 $932 5.0% 53.9% 76.5%