Elk Park, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elk Park, North Carolina had a total population of 560, the 565th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $41,583, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.0% is notably above the national average.
Elk Park Quick Facts
How Elk Park Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 694 | 560 | -19.3% |
| Median household income | $44,350 | $41,583 | -6.2% |
| Median home value | $145,000 | $160,400 | +10.6% |
How Elk Park Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elk Park Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Avery County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banner Elk | 1,473 | $86,382 | 13.0% | $458,100 |
| Newland | 866 | $46,006 | 22.3% | $241,700 |
| Sugar Mountain | 539 | $96,094 | 6.3% | $343,800 |
| Linville | 291 | $75,833 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Crossnore | 115 | N/A | 0.0% | $314,300 |
| Grandfather Village | 14 | $191,875 | 0.0% | $1,312,500 |
Cities Similar to Elk Park
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garysburg | 572 | $41,333 | $107,600 | 31.2% | 19.2% |
| Littleton | 549 | $42,083 | $108,700 | 25.9% | 23.9% |
| Conetoe | 561 | $38,776 | $86,400 | 7.5% | 74.5% |
| Hot Springs | 567 | $44,688 | $179,200 | 26.6% | 18.9% |
| Aurora | 560 | $46,131 | $87,300 | 14.8% | 26.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 560, Elk Park's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Elk Park is a small community located in North Carolina, within Avery County. The total population is 560. It ranks as the 565th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elk Park is 44.9 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elk Park is $41,583. This is 43% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.4%. This is 156% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 10.0%. This is 111% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $160,400. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 52.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elk Park has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.6% vs 60.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elk Park, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Elk Park, North Carolina?
Elk Park, North Carolina has a population of 560 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elk Park, NC?
The median household income in Elk Park is $41,583, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elk Park, NC?
The poverty rate in Elk Park is 33.4%. This means approximately 187 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elk Park, North Carolina?
Elk Park's population is 94.6% White, 0.0% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elk Park, NC?
The median home value in Elk Park is $160,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Elk Park, North Carolina?
14.4% of adults (25+) in Elk Park hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.