Elk Park, NC

North Carolina

Elk Park is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 694. Residents earn $44,350 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
694 Population 1,006/sq mi density
$44,350 Median Income $25,466 per capita
$145,000 Home Value $298,110 Zillow
N/A Median Rent 9.0% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$44,350 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$145,000 home value
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
11.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,350
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $145,000
49% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.9%
65% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.2%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.3%
7% higher than US avg

How Elk Park Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population694
Median Age46.1 yrs
Density1,006/mi²
Male / Female45% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans7.6%

Economy

B
Median Income$44,350
Per Capita$25,466
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty13.3%
County GDP$890M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$145,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$298,110
Rent Burden9.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.5%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain53.8 in/yr
Elevation3,166 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.9%
High School+82.8%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 23%
Commute20 min
Broadband75.7%
Libraries1

Is Elk Park a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elk Park receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Elk Park offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elk Park is $44,350, 41% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. 13.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elk Park is $145,000, 49% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

11.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Elk Park experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.8 inches, including 31.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Elk Park has a population of 694 with a density of 1,006 people per square mile. The median age is 46.1 years, 19% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.7%), with 1.9% Hispanic.

Population

694
Total Population
1,006
People / sq mi
46.1yrs
Median Age
19% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.5%
Female 55.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Elk Park vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.9%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.1%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Elk Park vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elk Park is $44,350, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Elk Park vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,350
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,466
Avg Weekly Wage$855
IRS Avg AGI$68,291

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.3%
7% above US avg
Establishments (County)698
County GDP$890M

Business (County)

Restaurants63
Healthcare41
Retail79
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,227
21% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.92%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.4 min
Drive Alone75.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Elk Park is $145,000, 49% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $298,110.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$145,000
49% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$298,110

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden9.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied57.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,227
21% above US avg
Effective Rate2.92%
In Elk Park, 38.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.5% report depression. 25.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Elk Park vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.2%
19% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure34.1%
Asthma11.3%
COPD8.5%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.3%
Physical Inactivity25.5%
Depression28.5%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.4%
Checkup Rate76.2%
Premature Death9,111/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access100.0%
Healthcare Facilities41

Crime Rates: Elk Park vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Elk Park has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 53.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average31°F (-0°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall53.8 inches
42% above US avg
Snowfall31.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3,166 ft (965 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density1,006/sq mi
Coordinates36.1582°N, 81.9808°W
County FIPS37011
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 11.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 52.4-point margin. 75.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.8%
D 23.5%

Winner: Republican by 52.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.9%
65% below US avg
High School+82.8%
School Test Score5.46
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,006/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access75.7%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities41
Restaurants63
Retail Stores79

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.4 min
Drive Alone75.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.2%

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