Elk Park town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Elk Park town, North Carolina has a total population of 694, the 528th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $44,350, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Elk Park town Quick Facts
How Elk Park town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elk Park town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Avery County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banner Elk town | 1,338 | $67,917 | 16.0% | $422,900 |
| Beech Mountain town | 831 | $89,934 | 3.4% | $388,800 |
Cities Similar to Elk Park town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocracoke CDP | 709 | N/A | $472,200 | 46.3% | 16.8% |
| Jackson town | 688 | $48,292 | $55,200 | 18.3% | 21.9% |
| McLeansville CDP | 740 | N/A | $166,300 | 23.5% | 20.3% |
| Bell Arthur CDP | 649 | N/A | $137,300 | 56.3% | 9.2% |
| Spivey's Corner CDP | 646 | N/A | N/A | 10.7% | 0.0% |
Population Overview
Elk Park town is a small community located in North Carolina, within Avery County. The total population is 694. It ranks as the 528th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elk Park town is 46.1 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elk Park town is $44,350. This is 37% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 44% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.4%. This is 108% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 47% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $145,000. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 57.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elk Park town has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.4% vs 60.7%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.
Education
11.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elk Park town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Elk Park town, North Carolina?
Elk Park town, North Carolina has a population of 694 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elk Park town, NC?
The median household income in Elk Park town is $44,350, which is 44% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Elk Park town, NC?
The poverty rate in Elk Park town is 27.4%. This means approximately 190 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elk Park town, North Carolina?
Elk Park town's population is 94.4% White, 0.0% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elk Park town, NC?
The median home value in Elk Park town is $145,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Elk Park town, North Carolina?
11.9% of adults (25+) in Elk Park town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.