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CITY · 2020 ACS

Banner Elk

North Carolina · 1,049 residents · 1.92 sq mi
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The short version

Banner Elk has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $53,750. Population has grown 29% since 2000. 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $302,200. At a median age of 22.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 22.5
US median: 38.8
More educated
53% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,049
+29%since 2000
from 811 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
546 / sq mi
+29%since 2000
from 422 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
22.5
+3%since 2000
from 21.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
7459431K1K2K1990201020202024Banner Elk
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,750
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,750 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,943
+135%since 2000
from $12,725 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
39.2%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.5%
−3.1 ptssince 2000
from 18.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade4.9%
US avg: 10%
Other services4%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade2.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration0.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance0.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$302,200
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $156,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$821
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $483 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
64.0%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 50.7% in 2000
36.0% rent
Afford Score
5.6
+21%since 2000
from 4.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic84.2%(883)
Black4.5%(47)
Hispanic / Latino7.1%(74)
Asian0.6%(6)
Other3.6%(38)
Diversity Score35.2%(369)
Diversity Score
35
+103%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
53.5%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 46.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
98.3%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 90.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
26.6%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.7 min
+4%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
55.9%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.0%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
16.1%
+8.5 ptssince 2011
from 7.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
46.1%
+2.2 ptssince 2011
from 43.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
49.1%
−24.4 ptssince 2009
from 73.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
39.0%
−11.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
61.0%
+11.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
7.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.4%
−83.9 ptssince 2013
from 90.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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BANNER ELK VS
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BANNER ELK VS
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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 1,049 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Banner Elk, North Carolina earns about $53,750 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 $302,200, and the typical rent is about $821 a month.

How educated are people in Banner Elk, North Carolina?

About 53.5% 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 15.5% 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 163 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

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

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