Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 38 min6:10 am – 8:48 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 42 min7:34 am – 5:16 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People7,869 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 45.23,236 householdsMedian household income $76,319Median home value $383,800Median rent $991 a month82% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,478 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting5.3% unemployment rate54% of adults are in the labour force, 3,487 employedMain industries: education and health care 19%, retail 15%, hospitality, food and recreation 14%Average commute 25 minutes70% drive alone, 11% car-pool, 2% walk or cycle, 16% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages47% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher92% finished high school, 18% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 95%, Spanish 4%1% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 69°F, lows 57°FColdest month January: highs 35°F, lows 20°F58 in of rain a year, on about 121 dayswettest month July67 in of snow a year, on about 38 days0 days above 90°F, 125 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Beech Mtn station, 1 mi away
Parks and public landsBeech Creek State Natural Areastate park · 1.8 mi · 311 acresBear Paw State Natural Areastate park · 2.4 mi · 384 acresValle Crucis Scenic Overlookstate historic site · 4.6 mi · 64 acresBuckeye Creek Recreation Arearecreation area · 3.8 mi · 54 acresSugar Mountain State Natural Areastate park · 6.6 mi · 93 acresCranberry Iron Minestate conservation land · 6.5 mi · 300 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes11 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 4+, 1 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202048 mi away, near Sparta, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202048 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowAvery County, NC, compared with all US countiesHighest-rated hazardsLandslide Relatively ModerateLightning Relatively ModerateSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality92% of days had good air in 2025238 of 258 days measured20 moderate daysMedian index 38, worst day 90main pollutant: ozoneSource: US EPA Air Quality Index, Avery County monitors, NC
Internet at home92% of households have a broadband subscription83% have cable, fibre or DSL6% rely on a mobile data plan alone5% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterSugar Mountain Utilityserves 3,226 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation4,177 ft1,273 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalCharles Cannon Junior Memorial Hospital8.3 miPost officeBanner Elk Post Office1.4 miTown hallBanner Elk Town Hall1.1 miPoliceBanner Elk Police Departmentunder a mileFire stationBanner Elk Volunteer Fire and Rescue1.3 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportTri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport TRI37 miMajor airportCharlotte Douglas International Airport CLT84 miInterstateI-2627 miUS highwayUS 3215.0 miAmtrakGastonia, NC GAS74 miCoachBooneSunway Charters11 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 28604 ZIP area.
