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CITY

Elk Park

North Carolina · 552 residents (2025 est.) · 0.691 sq mi
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The short version

Elk Park has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,583. Population has grown 22% since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $160,400. With a median age of 44.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 43% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
560
+22%since 2000
from 459 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
810 / sq mi
+22%since 2000
from 664 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.9
+18%since 2000
from 38.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:552 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2964185416637851990201020202024Elk Park
2024560
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,583
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,769 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,515
+60%since 2000
from $13,486 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
15.1%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
33.4%
+13.4 ptssince 2000
from 20.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.379
+7%since 2010
from 0.355 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade14.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Information13.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance6.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing5.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Retail trade1.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
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
$160,400
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$241
−64%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $363 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
52.5%
−20.2 ptssince 2000
from 72.7% in 2000
47.5% rent
Vacancy rate
11.4%
−8.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
2.2%
−37.6 ptssince 2009
from 39.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
19.0%
−22.5 ptssince 2009
from 41.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.9
+14%since 2000
from 3.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
58
RELATED:See current rent listings in Elk Park on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.2%(446)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(11)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.9%(27)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.6%(530)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(19)
Asian0%(0)
Other2%(11)
Diversity Score12.8%(72)
Diversity Score
13
+119%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.4%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 8.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
83.7%
+16.5 ptssince 2000
from 67.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.9%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 1.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.2 min
+71%since 2000
from 14.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
54.5%
−11.7 ptssince 2009
from 66.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.1%
−13.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.5% 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%
+20.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.8%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% 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
16.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.9%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 14.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
44.5%
−6.7 ptssince 2011
from 51.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.7%
−14.2 ptssince 2009
from 22.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.7%
−14.4 ptssince 2009
from 41.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.7%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
54.3%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.8%
−40.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.6%
−2.7 ptssince 2012
from 21.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
19.1%
−56.0 ptssince 2013
from 75.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
73.6%
+2.1 ptssince 2017
from 71.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 98.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2016
from 1.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Elk Park to nearby cities

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ELK PARK VS
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ELK PARK VS
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ELK PARK VS
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Home value$194,500+21%
Population28,107+4992%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Elk Park, North Carolina?

Elk Park, North Carolina has about 560 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Elk Park, North Carolina earns about $41,583 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Elk Park, North Carolina expensive?

In Elk Park, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $160,400, and the typical rent is about $241 a month.

How educated are people in Elk Park, North Carolina?

About 14.4% of adults age 25 and over in Elk Park, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 33.4% of people in Elk Park, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Elk Park, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Elk Park, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 87 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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