Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 38 min6:10 am – 8:48 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 42 min7:35 am – 5:16 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,565 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 46.11,073 householdsMedian household income $44,028Median home value $169,900Median rent $709 a month73% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $700 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting5.0% unemployment rate48% of adults are in the labour force, 947 employedMain industries: education and health care 20%, retail 18%, construction 18%Average commute 23 minutes74% drive alone, 15% car-pool, 9% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages14% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher74% finished high school, 2% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 98%Source: 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, 4 mi away
Nearby landmarksBeech Mountainpeak · 3.8 miBig Fallswaterfall · 1.2 miELK RIVER FALLS TRAILHEADtrailhead · 1.2 miLittle Pine Mountainpeak · 1.9 miJones Fallswaterfall · 1.9 miLees McRae Collegecollege · 4.8 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsBeech Creek State Natural Areastate park · 4.4 mi · 311 acresBuckeye Creek Recreation Arearecreation area · 2.7 mi · 54 acresCranberry Iron Minestate conservation land · 3.3 mi · 300 acresNC Division of Parks and Recreation Conservation Landstate park · 7.5 mi · 249 acresBear Paw State Natural Areastate park · 7.6 mi · 384 acresSugar Mountain State Natural Areastate park · 8.1 mi · 93 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes10 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.4 on 26 Jun 199546 mi away, near Trout Dale, VirginiaMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Dec 201426 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 home77% of households have a broadband subscription66% have cable, fibre or DSL8% rely on a mobile data plan alone22% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterTown of Elk Parkserves 495 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 20212 monitoring or reporting violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation3,283 ft1,001 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalCharles Cannon Junior Memorial Hospital9.9 miPost officeElk Park Post Office3.1 miTown hallElk Park Town Hall3.2 miPoliceBeech Mountain Police Department4.1 miFire stationFall Creek Volunteer Fire Department Station 11.0 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportTri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport TRI32 miMajor airportCharlotte Douglas International Airport CLT88 miInterstateI-2621 miUS highwayUS 19E3.1 miCoachBooneSunway Charters16 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 28622 ZIP area.
