The Town Files

Avery County, North Carolina

17,680 people. The median home is worth $265,800 (typical North Carolina town: $228,900) and the median household earns $61,428.

Towns in Avery County

Towns in Avery County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Banner Elk1,049$458,100$86,38220.7
Newland715$241,700$46,00647.0
Elk Park542$160,400$41,58344.9

People and housing

Avery CountyTypical North Carolina town
Median home value$265,800$228,900
Median rent$773$969
Median household income$61,428$60,458
Median age47.141.1
Bachelor's degree or higher25.0%24.5%
Below the poverty line10.2%14.3%

Jobs and pay

7,186 jobs in 2024, average pay $44,456 a year.

Largest industries in Avery CountyHotels & restaurants985 jobs · $26,267Arts & recreation847 jobs · $44,278Retail839 jobs · $31,711Construction655 jobs · $56,608Administrative & support518 jobs · $47,193Other services206 jobs · $40,042
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Avery County0%2%4%6%8%10%12%2000200420082012201620202023 3%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 672 storm events in Avery County from 1996 to 2026, with 7 deaths.

Storm events in Avery County by type since 1996Hail54Sleet8Drought35High Wind43Ice Storm11Heavy Snow125Flash Flood31Winter Storm20Winter Weather237Cold/Wind Chill22
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Avery County has been included in 22 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
January 24, 2026Winter StormEM-3637: Severe Winter Storm
September 28, 2024Tropical StormDR-4827: Tropical Storm Helene
September 26, 2024Tropical StormEM-3617: Hurricane Helene
October 1, 2022HurricaneEM-3586: Hurricane Ian
September 8, 2021HurricaneDR-4617: Remnants Of Tropical Storm Fred
August 2, 2020HurricaneEM-3534: Hurricane Isaias
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).