🇺🇸 United States ZIP Code

STANDARD

28604

Banner Elk

ZIP Code 28604 is a standard zip code serving Banner Elk, Banner Elk, North Carolina (NC), in Avery County, United States. It has an estimated population of 6,249 with a median household income of $47,992. The area falls within the America/New_York timezone.

Median Household Income vs. National Average

Location

Country: 🇺🇸 United States
State / Province: North Carolina (NC)
County: Avery
City: Banner Elk
Timezone: America/New_York

Coordinates

Latitude: 36.170500
Longitude: -81.841200

Geographic Details

Land Area: 65.71 mi²
Water Area: 0.07 mi²
Population Density: 95.0 people per mi² (50th percentile)
Bounding Box: 36.262174°N, 36.111376°S, -81.745390°E, -81.933738°W

With 6,249 residents spread across 65.71 square miles, this area has a population density of 95.0 people per square mile.

Demographics

6,249

Population

60th percentile

$47,992

Median Income

50th percentile

$240,100

Median Home Value

80th percentile

65.71 mi²

Land Area

The median household income in 28604 is $47,992, and the median home value is $240,100.

Housing

9,051

Total Units

2,599

Occupied Units

28.7%

Occupancy Rate

Similar ZIP Codes in North Carolina

ZIP codes with similar median household income in North Carolina.

28715

Candler

$43,690

28373

Pinebluff

$41,458

28457

Rocky Point

$43,364

28766

Penrose

$43,964

28578

Seven Springs

$41,333

28371

Parkton

$43,365

27298

Liberty

$43,097

28072

Granite Quarry

$54,265

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is available for each ZIP code?

Each ZIP code page shows city, state, county, geographic coordinates, timezone, population, median household income, median home value, housing units, land area, population density, commute time, educational attainment, area codes, and ZIP code type (Standard, PO Box, or Unique).

What are the different types of ZIP codes?

There are three types of ZIP codes: Standard (residential and commercial delivery areas), PO Box (assigned to post office box sections), and Unique (assigned to a single high-volume address like a government agency or large company). Standard ZIP codes are the most common.

How often is ZIP code data updated?

ZIP code assignments are updated quarterly by the USPS. Demographic data comes from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), which releases new 5-year estimates annually. ZipFYI updates its data to reflect the latest available information.

What is population density and why does it matter?

Population density measures the number of people per square mile in a ZIP code area. It helps identify urban vs. rural areas, affects real estate values, impacts service availability, and is used in market analysis. Dense urban ZIP codes may have 50,000+ people per square mile.

How are ZIP code boundaries determined?

ZIP code boundaries are determined by the USPS based on mail delivery routes, not political or geographic boundaries. They follow carrier routes and may cross city, county, or even state lines. Boundaries can change when the USPS reorganizes delivery operations.

What does median household income tell me about a ZIP code?

Median household income is the middle value when all household incomes in a ZIP code are sorted. Half of households earn more and half earn less. It is a better indicator of typical earnings than average income, which can be skewed by very high or very low outliers.