Banner Elk, North Carolina
Location of Banner Elk, North Carolina
Coordinates: 36°9′34″N 81°52′18″W / 36.15944, -81.87167
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Avery
Area
- Total	1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
- Land	1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation	3,701 ft (1,128 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	811
- Density	679.8/sq mi (262.5/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	28604
Area code(s)	828
FIPS code	37-03500[1]
GNIS feature ID	1018956[2]

Banner Elk is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 811 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Banner Elk is located at 36°9′34″N, 81°52′18″W (36.159561, -81.871649)^[3].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²), all of it land.

History

The area surrounding the Elk RIver was inhabited Cherokee Indians before western settlement, although no evidence of a permanent Cherokee settlement has ever been found it is likely the area was used for hunting and fishing, The first permanent settlement was established by Martin L. Banner 1848. Although the Banner family originally came from Wales, Martin Banner moved from Forsyth County located in the piedmont region of North Carolina. Eventually, the Banner family grew to 55 members, and the area where they lived became known as Banner’s Elk. This name was later shortened to Banner Elk when the town was incorporated in 1911 (Heritage, 1976)

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 811 people, 215 households, and 124 families residing in the town. The population density was 679.8 people per square mile (263.1/km²). There were 290 housing units at an average density of 243.1/sq mi (94.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.26% White, 3.95% African American, 0.62% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.25% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races, and 2.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.85% of the population.

There were 215 households out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.65.

In the town the population was spread out with 10.7% under the age of 18, 47.8% from 18 to 24, 16.8% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $41,964. Males had a median income of $35,250 versus $23,036 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,725. About 13.5% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions

During summer time there is hiking, whitewater rafting, fishing, and other activities. In the winter the main event is skiing and snowboarding. There are three slopes in the area. Beech Mountain(Beech, as in the Beech Tree), Sugar Mountain, and Hawk's Nest.

There are several restaurants in Banner Elk in addition to a post office, bank, and many lodging choices. Genearlly, Banner Elk is known as a quiet, peaceful town.

Education

Banner Elk is home to an institution of higher learning, the four-year Lees-McRae College. Also Banner Elk has a K-5th school, run by the Avery County School system.

See also

• Elizabethton, Tennessee
• Roan Mountain, Tennessee
• Watauga River

References

1. ^ ^{a b} American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
2. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
3. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

External links

• Lees-McRae College
• Official Banner Elk, NC website
• Avery Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce

• Banner Elk, North Carolina is at coordinates 36°09′34″N 81°52′18″W / 36.159561, -81.871649 (Banner Elk, North Carolina)Coordinates: 36°09′34″N 81°52′18″W / 36.159561, -81.871649 (Banner Elk, North Carolina)
• Live Webcam Image of Banner Elk

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Avery County, North Carolina County seat: Newland Towns Banner Elk | Beech Mountain | Crossnore | Elk Park | Newland | Seven Devils Villages Grandfather | Sugar Mountain Unincorporated community Linville