Banner Elk, North Carolina

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Banner Elk, North Carolina
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
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image_

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Banner Elk, North Carolina


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = North Carolina
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Avery
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
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established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 3.1
area_land_km2 = 3.1
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 1.2
area_land_sq_mi = 1.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 811
population_density_km2 = 262.5
population_density_sq_mi = 679.8

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 1128
elevation_ft = 3701
latd = 36 |latm = 9 |lats = 34 |latNS = N
longd = 81 |longm = 52 |longs = 18 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 28604
area_code = 828
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 37-03500GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1018956GR|3
website = http://www.townofbannerelk.org/
footnotes =

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 coor dms|36|9|34|N|81|52|18|W|city (36.159561, -81.871649)GR|1.

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 censusGR|2 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. These include 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. Generally, Banner Elk is known as a quiet and peaceful town. Every year the town hosts the annual Woolly Worm festival.

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.

ee also

*Elizabethton, Tennessee
*Roan Mountain, Tennessee
*Watauga River

References

External links

* [http://www.townofbannerelk.org/ Official Banner Elk, NC website]
* [http://www.lmc.edu/sites/home/v2/ Lees-McRae College]
* [http://www.banner-elk.com/ Avery Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.highcountrywebcams.com/ Live Webcam Image of Banner Elk]