Banner Elk, NC Demographics

A map of Banner Elk's Population by Race

Banner Elk, North Carolina has an estimated population of 1,473, a dramatic increase from the 1,049 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 81.1% White, 7.4% Black, 5.8% Hispanic, 4.0% Asian, 1.7% Multiracial, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Banner Elk, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Banner Elk has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Banner Elk, that probability was 28.4% in 2020 and 33.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Banner Elk is ranked the 394th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Banner Elk was ranked the 438th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Banner Elk's White Population

1,194 residents of Banner Elk, or 81.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Banner Elk is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Banner Elk ranks 195th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Banner Elk's White population has grown by an estimated 35.2%. White residents' share of Banner Elk's population has decreased from 84.2% to 81.1%.

Banner Elk is less White than neighboring Sugar Mountain (95.5% White), Beech Mountain (93% White), Seven Devils (96.5% White), Grandfather Village (100% White), and Linville (92.4% White).

Banner Elk's Black Population

109 residents of Banner Elk, or 7.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Banner Elk is considerably lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Banner Elk ranks 535th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Banner Elk's Black population has grown by an estimated 131.9%. Black residents' share of Banner Elk's population has increased from 4.5% to 7.4%.

Banner Elk is more Black than neighboring Sugar Mountain (0% Black), Beech Mountain (0.2% Black), Seven Devils (0% Black), Grandfather Village (0% Black), and Linville (0% Black).

Banner Elk's Asian Population

59 residents of Banner Elk, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Banner Elk is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Banner Elk ranks 406th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Banner Elk's Asian population has grown by an estimated 883.3%. Asian residents' share of Banner Elk's population has increased from 0.6% to 4.0%.

Banner Elk is more Asian than neighboring Sugar Mountain (0.9% Asian), Beech Mountain (1.4% Asian), Seven Devils (0% Asian), Grandfather Village (0% Asian), and Linville (0% Asian).

Banner Elk's Hispanic Population

86 residents of Banner Elk, or 5.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Banner Elk is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Banner Elk ranks 333rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Banner Elk's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 16.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Banner Elk's population has decreased from 7.1% to 5.8%.

Banner Elk is more Hispanic than neighboring Sugar Mountain (1.1% Hispanic), Beech Mountain (2.3% Hispanic), Seven Devils (3.1% Hispanic), and Grandfather Village (0% Hispanic). Banner Elk is less Hispanic than neighboring Linville (7.6% Hispanic).

Banner Elk's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Banner Elk, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Banner Elk is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Banner Elk ranks 73rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Banner Elk's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Banner Elk's population has decreased from 2.4% to 0.0%.

Banner Elk is less Native American/Other than neighboring Sugar Mountain (1.5% Native American/Other), and Beech Mountain (1.2% Native American/Other).

Banner Elk's Multiracial Population

25 residents of Banner Elk, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Banner Elk is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Banner Elk ranks 745th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Banner Elk's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 78.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Banner Elk's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.7%.

Banner Elk is more Multiracial than neighboring Sugar Mountain (0.9% Multiracial), Seven Devils (0.5% Multiracial), Grandfather Village (0% Multiracial), and Linville (0% Multiracial). Banner Elk is less Multiracial than neighboring Beech Mountain (1.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.