City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Banner Elk, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Banner Elk - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,338
Residents
$67,917
Median income
$422,900
Median home
$1,005
Median rent (state)

Banner Elk - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Banner Elk lands in the 47th percentile for household income and the 96th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

47th
percentile, household income
79th
percentile, home value
20th
percentile, median rent
96th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Banner Elk, NC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,338 residents in Banner Elk, a small town within North Carolina. The typical household in Banner Elk brings in $67,917 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.5%. Typical homes in Banner Elk are valued around $422,900, and the median resident age is 20.7 years. 44.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 34.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Banner Elk reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 173.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 50.1°F with 53.8 inches of precipitation per year and 31.4 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,005 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Carolina run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 47.5 out of 100 (Low).

Population

1,338 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$67,917 /yr

Poverty 11.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Banner Elk compare to other US cities?

Here's how Banner Elk stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 47% higher than other cities
Home value 79% pricier than other cities
Median rent 20% pricier than other cities
Safety 96% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at North Carolina, Banner Elk ranks #2 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Banner Elk's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in North Carolina, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

47thIncome percentile
96thSafety percentile

47th percentile nationally for median household income · 96th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Banner Elk's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Banner Elk's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 65 Avg. percentile National median
Banner Elk's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Banner Elk's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$422,900 21st percentile more affordable than 21% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Banner Elk $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Banner Elk, NC Banner Elk, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Banner Elk, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Banner Elk, NC median $67,917/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Banner Elk, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Banner Elk, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 44.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 34.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,338
Median Income
$67,917
Median Home Value
$422,900
Median Age
20.7
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Labor force participation
34.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
44.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
173.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
173.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
50.1°F
Annual Precipitation
53.8"
Annual Snowfall
31.4"

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,100 residents1,150 residents1,200 residents1,250 residents1,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,118 residents 1,242 residents ▲ +11.1%
Banner Elk's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
64.5%
Carpool
6.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
9.5%
Work from Home
19.4%

Based on 422 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Banner Elk sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,005/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
47.5 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Spring Hope
1,334 people
Cordova
1,343 people
Chadbourn
1,347 people
Rutherford College
1,327 people
Pinetops
1,323 people
Hays
1,355 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Banner Elk's 1,338 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Diamond Ridge, AK
1,338 people
Metlakatla, AK
1,338 people
Limestone, IL
1,338 people
New Windsor, MD
1,338 people
Springfield, NJ
1,338 people
New Paris, OH
1,338 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Banner Elk's $67,917 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sharpes, FL
$67,917 median income
Allenville, IL
$67,917 median income
Broadlands, IL
$67,917 median income
Irvington, IL
$67,917 median income
Amherst, NE
$67,917 median income
Poland, NY
$67,917 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Banner Elk, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Banner Elk, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.9% 7.7% 6.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.6% White 83.9% Black or African American 7.7% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.1% Two or more races 6.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Banner Elk compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Banner Elk (this city) 1,338 $67,917
Spring Hope 1,334 $35,577
Cordova 1,343 $65,801
Chadbourn 1,347 $19,853
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Banner Elk, NC?

What is the population of Banner Elk, NC? +

Banner Elk, NC counts 1,338 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Banner Elk, NC? +

In Banner Elk, the typical household earns $67,917 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Banner Elk? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Banner Elk; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Banner Elk, NC safe? +

Banner Elk has a total crime rate of 173.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Banner Elk, NC? +

Homes in Banner Elk carry a median value of $422,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Banner Elk? +

The average annual temperature in Banner Elk runs 50.1°F, 53.8 inches of precipitation, and 31.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.