Elk Park ZIP Codes — Avery County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Elk Park, North Carolina and it is 28622. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

29.69

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

828

area code

Elk Park, NC ZIP code map

About Elk Park, NC

Elk Park is a charming town located in the heart of North Carolina's Avery County. Known for its picturesque landscapes and friendly communities, it offers a serene environment that attracts both residents and visitors alike. This small town provides a unique blend of rural charm and natural beauty, highlighted by the surrounding Appalachian Mountains.

Location & geography

Elk Park, NC, is situated in the western part of North Carolina, making it a gateway to several outdoor activities and scenic views. The town is located approximately 10 miles from Boone, NC, and is just a short drive from Banner Elk and Newland, offering easy access to nearby attractions. The total land area of Elk Park is 29.69 square miles, with no designated water area, contributing to its rural and mountainous terrain.

Community & economy

The character of Elk Park is characterized by its tight-knit community and a slower pace of life that many find appealing. Residents engage in various local industries, including tourism, agriculture, and crafts, all of which contribute to the town's economy. Daily life in Elk Park often revolves around community events, local fairs, and the beautiful outdoor environment that encourages hiking, fishing, and enjoying nature.

Transportation

Elk Park is conveniently accessible via U.S. Route 19E, which connects it to nearby towns and cities. The nearest named airport is the Tri-Cities Airport, located about 30 miles away in Tennessee, offering regional flights. Public transportation options are limited, typical for a small town, but residents often rely on personal vehicles for travel.

History

Elk Park was established in the late 19th century, originally influenced by the timber and agriculture industries. Over the years, it has seen growth tied to the tourism boom due to its proximity to outdoor recreational areas in the Appalachian Mountains. The town has maintained its small-town charm while adapting to changes in the community and economy.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Elk Park is that it features an extensive network of hiking trails that attract nature enthusiasts year-round. Additionally, the town is located near the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, offering breathtaking views and scenic drives.

ZIP codes for Elk Park, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28622	Elk Park	Avery	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,384

Population

47.6

Median age

$44,491

Median household income

$27,130

Per capita income

$154,200

Median home value

$588

Median monthly rent

74.6%

Home ownership

20.1%

Poverty rate

2.9%

Unemployment

1,388

Housing units

12.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

108

25–34

126

147

35–44

173

186

45–54

217

55–59

60–64

108

190

65–74

223

116

75–84

135

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	444	18.6%
18 and over	1,940	81.4%
65 and over	680	28.5%
Median age	47.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94%

Two or more races 2.7%

Hispanic or Latino 2.5%

Black or African American 0.8%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	2,297	94%
Two or more races	65	2.7%
Hispanic or Latino	60	2.5%
Black or African American	19	0.8%
Asian	3	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 11.1%

$10k–$15k 8.5%

$15k–$25k 14.0%

$25k–$35k 8.9%

$35k–$50k 14.5%

$50k–$75k 18.6%

$75k–$100k 8.4%

$100k–$150k 10.1%

$150k–$200k 1.6%

$200k+ 4.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	11.1%
$10k–$15k	8.5%
$15k–$25k	14.0%
$25k–$35k	8.9%
$35k–$50k	14.5%
$50k–$75k	18.6%
$75k–$100k	8.4%
$100k–$150k	10.1%
$150k–$200k	1.6%
$200k+	4.3%
Median income	$44,491

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 14.2%

$50k–$100k 12.8%

$100k–$150k 21.2%

$150k–$200k 16.0%

$200k–$300k 24.2%

$300k–$500k 3.7%

$500k–$1M 6.7%

$1M+ 1.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$154,200
Median rent / month	$588
Owner occupied	74.6%
Renter occupied	25.4%
Vacant	35.3%
Single-family detached	70.8%
Large apartment buildings	1.0%
Mobile homes	23.2%
Median rooms	5.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.29

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.8%
2010–2019	5.3%
2000–2009	17.3%
1990–1999	13.5%
1980–1989	14.0%
1970–1979	14.3%
1960–1969	9.6%
1950–1959	9.5%
1940–1949	6.6%
1939 or earlier	9.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	5.9%
2 bedrooms	33.5%
3 bedrooms	52.1%
4 bedrooms	7.3%
5+ bedrooms	0.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.7%
1 vehicle	33.2%
2 vehicles	38.8%
3 or more	20.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.8%
Electricity	52.4%
Propane / LP gas	6.7%
Fuel oil	26.1%
Wood	13.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	544	50.6%
Cohabiting couple	70	6.5%
Male householder, no spouse	232	21.6%
Female householder, no spouse	229	21.3%
Households with children under 18	297	27.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	412	38.3%
Average household size	2.21

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.0%	17.2%
Married	56.3%	56.9%
Separated	0.0%	0.9%
Widowed	1.5%	7.6%
Divorced	17.2%	17.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 8.2%

Some HS, no diploma 15.9%

HS graduate 25.3%

Some college, no degree 29.1%

Associate's degree 9.1%

Bachelor's degree 7.8%

Graduate / professional 4.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	75.8%
Bachelor's or higher	12.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	23	5.4%
Kindergarten	23	5.4%
Elementary school	190	44.4%
High school	141	32.9%
College / grad school	51	11.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.8%

Retail trade 17.9%

Construction 15.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.2%

Transportation & utilities 6.6%

Public administration 5.7%

Professional & management 4.6%

Finance & real estate 4.5%

Agriculture & mining 3.5%

Other services 3.5%

Manufacturing 2.2%

Wholesale trade 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	25.1%
Service	29.0%
Sales & office	24.1%
Natural resources & construction	14.6%
Production & transportation	7.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	71.6%
Government	14.8%
Self-employed	12.5%
Unpaid family workers	1.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.8%
Carpool	11.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.5%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.0

Poverty

All people 20.1%

Under 18 years 3.2%

18 and over 24.0%

Married-couple families 9.4%

Female-led households 27.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	46.3%
Retirement income	22.3%
Supplemental Security	4.1%
Cash public assistance	4.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	17.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.3%
High cholesterol	37.9%
Heart disease	8.9%
Stroke	4.2%
Asthma	9.4%
Arthritis	30.4%
Kidney disease	3.8%
Pulmonary disease	9.8%
Cancer	7.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.7%
No physical activity	25.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.9%
Fair or poor health	17.4%
Poor mental health	14.9%
Poor physical health	13.1%
No health insurance	18.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.1%
Visited dentist	61.0%
Cholesterol screening	89.2%
Teeth loss	18.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	180	9.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	21.0%
Under 18	2.0%
18–64 years	24.7%
65 and over	26.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	48.4%
Public insurance	57.7%
Uninsured under 19	4.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,296	96.3%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,380	99.8%
Born in same state	2,373	99.5%
Born in different state	1,753	73.5%
Foreign born	7	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	4	0.2%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	232	9.7%
Arab	226	9.5%
Italian	196	8.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	35	1.5%
Polish	14	0.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.1%
Internet access	85.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Elk Park, NC have?

Elk Park, NC has one ZIP code: 28622. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.