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CITY

Banner Elk

North Carolina · 1,242 residents (2025 est.) · 1.92 sq mi
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The short version

Banner Elk has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $86,382. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 82% since 2000. 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $458,100. At a median age of 20.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 20.7
US median: 38.9
More educated
52% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 61%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,473
+82%since 2000
from 811 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
767 / sq mi
+82%since 2000
from 422 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
20.7
−5%since 2000
from 21.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,242 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7459431K1K2K1990201020202024Banner Elk
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$86,382
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,750 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,427
+186%since 2000
from $12,725 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
54.1%
+27.8 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.0%
−5.7 ptssince 2000
from 18.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.530
+11%since 2010
from 0.478 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information21.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade14.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services9.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$458,100
+61%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $156,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$849
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $483 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
68.9%
+18.2 ptssince 2000
from 50.7% in 2000
31.1% rent
Vacancy rate
53.3%
+25.5 ptssince 2009
from 27.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.2%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
61.1%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 66.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.3
+15%since 2000
from 4.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
71
RELATED:See current rent listings in Banner Elk on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.1%(723)
Black3.9%(32)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(15)
Asian1.2%(10)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.3%(141)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.1%(1,194)
Black7.4%(109)
Hispanic / Latino5.8%(86)
Asian4%(59)
Other1.7%(25)
Diversity Score41.5%(612)
Diversity Score
42
+140%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
52.5%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 46.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.5%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 90.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
20.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
11.6 min
−12%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
55.5%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.8%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
31.5%
+30.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.3%
−19.2 ptssince 2009
from 27.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.4%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.4%
−5.2 ptssince 2011
from 7.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
35.6%
−8.3 ptssince 2011
from 43.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.8%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
36.4%
−37.0 ptssince 2009
from 73.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
49.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
8.8%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.5%
−48.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.2%
+3.3 ptssince 2012
from 9.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.8%
−82.5 ptssince 2013
from 90.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.5%
+18.4 ptssince 2017
from 78.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 91.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2016
from 4.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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BANNER ELK VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Banner Elk, North Carolina?

Banner Elk, North Carolina has about 1,473 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Banner Elk, North Carolina?

The typical household in Banner Elk, North Carolina earns about $86,382 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Banner Elk, North Carolina expensive?

In Banner Elk, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $458,100, and the typical rent is about $849 a month.

How educated are people in Banner Elk, North Carolina?

About 52.5% of adults age 25 and over in Banner Elk, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Banner Elk, North Carolina?

About 13.0% of people in Banner Elk, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Banner Elk, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Banner Elk, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 587 residents, a change of about 66 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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