Banner Elk ZIP Codes — Avery County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Banner Elk, North Carolina and it is 28604. Area code: 828.
1
ZIP codes
68.65
sq mi land
0.10
sq mi water
828
area code
Banner Elk, NC ZIP code map

About Banner Elk, NC

Banner Elk, NC is a charming small town located in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Nestled in Avery County, it is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant community atmosphere. The town attracts visitors and residents alike with its rich outdoor recreation opportunities and a friendly, welcoming vibe.

Location & geography

Banner Elk is positioned about 35 miles northeast of Boone, NC, and roughly 65 miles from the vibrant city of Asheville. The town is located amidst the scenic landscapes of Avery County, featuring rolling hills and picturesque mountain views. Covering a total land area of 68.65 square miles, Banner Elk also includes a minimal water area of 0.10 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Banner Elk is defined by its close-knit, friendly community and a diverse range of residents. Its economy is primarily supported by tourism, with outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking drawing visitors year-round. Daily life in Banner Elk is enriched by local events, farmers' markets, and a thriving arts scene that brings the community together.

Transportation

Major highways that serve the area include NC Highway 194 and US Route 321, which provide easy access to neighboring towns and attractions. The nearest major airport is Asheville Regional Airport, located approximately 65 miles to the southwest, offering both domestic and limited international flights. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transportation for residents and visitors.

History

Banner Elk was founded in the late 19th century and has historically been known for its agriculture and dairy production, especially in the early 1900s. Notable events that have shaped the town include its development as a tourist destination after the establishment of skiing facilities in the region. Over the years, Banner Elk has grown from a small farming community to a popular year-round recreational hub.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Banner Elk is that it is home to the popular ski resort, Beech Mountain, which is one of the highest ski areas in the eastern United States. Additionally, the town is notable for hosting the annual Woolly Worm Festival, celebrating the local folklore surrounding the woolly bear caterpillar.

ZIP codes for Banner Elk, NC (1)
ZIP code City County Map
28604 Banner Elk Avery View map

Demographics & statistics

7,671
Population
45.2
Median age
$61,161
Median household income
$39,024
Per capita income
$296,500
Median home value
$973
Median monthly rent
75.7%
Home ownership
10.4%
Poverty rate
6.0%
Unemployment
8,283
Housing units
41.3%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
136
Under 5
136
212
5–9
211
197
10–14
196
388
15–19
386
283
20–24
281
291
25–34
289
402
35–44
400
482
45–54
478
222
55–59
221
305
60–64
303
559
65–74
555
305
75–84
303
65
85+
65
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 181,34617.5%
18 and over6,32582.5%
65 and over1,85224.1%
Median age45.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 84%
Two or more races 4.9%
Hispanic or Latino 4.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2.3%
Black or African American 1.7%
Other race 1.4%
Asian 1%
GroupCount%
White6,75684%
Two or more races3964.9%
Hispanic or Latino3714.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native1862.3%
Black or African American1341.7%
Other race1121.4%
Asian831%

Household income

Under $10k 5.9%
$10k–$15k 0.8%
$15k–$25k 8.0%
$25k–$35k 8.1%
$35k–$50k 17.9%
$50k–$75k 16.4%
$75k–$100k 16.5%
$100k–$150k 14.6%
$150k–$200k 4.7%
$200k+ 7.3%
Range% of households
Under $10k5.9%
$10k–$15k0.8%
$15k–$25k8.0%
$25k–$35k8.1%
$35k–$50k17.9%
$50k–$75k16.4%
$75k–$100k16.5%
$100k–$150k14.6%
$150k–$200k4.7%
$200k+7.3%
Median income$61,161

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.6%
$50k–$100k 6.4%
$100k–$150k 8.3%
$150k–$200k 12.8%
$200k–$300k 19.4%
$300k–$500k 35.7%
$500k–$1M 9.9%
$1M+ 3.8%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$296,500
Median rent / month$973
Owner occupied75.7%
Renter occupied24.3%
Vacant65.2%
Single-family detached61.1%
Large apartment buildings8.5%
Mobile homes3.2%
Median rooms5.3
Avg household size (owned)2.23

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20193.8%
2000–200923.1%
1990–199913.4%
1980–198929.5%
1970–197919.6%
1960–19694.7%
1950–19591.4%
1940–19492.5%
1939 or earlier2.1%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)1.9%
1 bedroom5.7%
2 bedrooms35.8%
3 bedrooms35.3%
4 bedrooms16.8%
5+ bedrooms4.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle1.0%
1 vehicle38.9%
2 vehicles38.7%
3 or more21.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas9.4%
Electricity41.3%
Propane / LP gas32.0%
Fuel oil13.0%
Wood3.5%
Solar0.1%
No fuel used0.1%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family1,65752.6%
Cohabiting couple1464.6%
Male householder, no spouse59318.8%
Female householder, no spouse75423.9%
Households with children under 1875223.9%
Households with seniors (65+)1,20638.3%
Average household size2.20

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married32.2%26.3%
Married53.0%52.4%
Separated2.7%2.3%
Widowed2.5%7.8%
Divorced9.6%11.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.7%
Some HS, no diploma 4.1%
HS graduate 19.4%
Some college, no degree 21.8%
Associate's degree 9.7%
Bachelor's degree 25.0%
Graduate / professional 16.3%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher92.2%
Bachelor's or higher41.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool673.1%
Kindergarten1336.2%
Elementary school64830.1%
High school31114.4%
College / grad school99546.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 21.7%
Retail trade 17.2%
Arts, food & hospitality 14.5%
Finance & real estate 9.6%
Construction 8.8%
Public administration 7.2%
Professional & management 7.0%
Other services 5.3%
Manufacturing 5.2%
Transportation & utilities 2.0%
Information 1.2%
Wholesale trade 0.2%
Agriculture & mining 0.1%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts42.0%
Service18.7%
Sales & office23.9%
Natural resources & construction7.0%
Production & transportation8.4%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector72.9%
Government20.2%
Self-employed6.7%
Unpaid family workers0.2%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone74.9%
Carpool9.4%
Public transit0.0%
Walk3.0%
Other means0.7%
Avg commute (minutes)23.5

Poverty

All people 10.4%
Under 18 years 16.9%
18 and over 8.8%
Married-couple families 2.7%
Female-led households 29.1%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security40.6%
Retirement income30.5%
Supplemental Security2.2%
Cash public assistance1.3%
Food stamps / SNAP7.0%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure32.2%
High cholesterol35.2%
Heart disease6.7%
Stroke3.1%
Asthma9.1%
Arthritis25.1%
Kidney disease3.0%
Pulmonary disease7.1%
Cancer6.7%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking16.3%
No physical activity20.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep28.8%
Fair or poor health12.8%
Poor mental health14.6%
Poor physical health10.2%
No health insurance15.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)76.4%
Visited dentist66.6%
Cholesterol screening88.1%
Teeth loss13.3%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans5418.6%
Disability%
Any disability12.8%
Under 185.6%
18–64 years9.5%
65 and over26.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance65.0%
Public insurance38.6%
Uninsured under 193.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only7,39996.5%
Spanish550.7%
Other Indo-European410.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander140.2%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)7,35295.8%
Born in same state7,26694.7%
Born in different state3,93651.3%
Foreign born861.1%
Naturalized citizen3194.2%
Not a US citizen9730.4%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French1,11114.5%
Italian82710.8%
Arab7029.2%
English861.1%
Polish811.1%
AncestryCount%
Irish190.2%
German140.2%
Norwegian100.1%
Dutch60.1%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access41.1%
Internet access92.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Banner Elk, NC have?
Banner Elk, NC has one ZIP code: 28604. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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