Elk Park, North Carolina

Elk Park is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The town was so named because of the number of elk killed there.[5] The population was 452 at the 2010 census.

Elk Park
Town
Elk Park
Location within the state of North Carolina
Coordinates: 36°9′30″N 81°58′52″W
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountyAvery
Incorporated1885
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • MayorJohn Boone
Area
 • Total0.69 sq mi (1.79 km2)
 • Land0.69 sq mi (1.79 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
3,166 ft (965 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total452
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
444
 • Density642.55/sq mi (248.24/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
28622
Area code(s)828
FIPS code37-20700[3]
GNIS feature ID1011054[4]

Geography

Elk Park is located at 36°9′30″N 81°58′52″W (36.158356, -81.981088).[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2), all land.

History

In 1882, the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad ("Tweetsie") linked Cranberry and Johnson City, Tennessee with a stop at Elk Park; three years later, Elk Park was incorporated. In 1911, Avery County was established; originally Elk Park was to serve as the county seat, but was changed after North Carolina Lieutenant Governor William C. Newland made a deal that the new county seat would be named after him for his aid in passage of the bill. However, Elk Park served as a temporary county seat while the new incorporated town of Newland was being constructed. In 1950, the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina decommissioned the railroad at Elk Park, ending rail service in Avery County, though it has survived as a town, unlike neighboring Cranberry.

Elk Park School was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.[7]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1890313—
190049859.1%
1910377−24.3%
192045219.9%
19304888.0%
1940467−4.3%
195054516.7%
1960460−15.6%
19705039.3%
19805356.4%
1990486−9.2%
2000459−5.6%
2010452−1.5%
2019 (est.)444[2]−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 459 people, 205 households, and 125 families residing in the town. The population density was 659.2 people per square mile (253.2/km2). There were 237 housing units at an average density of 340.3 per square mile (130.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 99.56% White, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.40% of the population.

There were 205 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,769, and the median income for a family was $27,500. Males had a median income of $26,000 versus $15,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,486. About 15.6% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 19.2% of those age 65 or over.

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Elk Park, North Carolina
  5. Bulletin. Geological Survey (U.S.). 1902.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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