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Elkin, NC

Area Guide

Yadkin Valley’s haven for outdoor fun

Great Schools Outdoors Peaceful

Resting in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Yadkin River, Elkin is a rural town that celebrates outdoor adventure. The cozy community is part of the Yadkin Valley region, known for its relaxing lifestyle and variety of vineyards. This rural town is a great destination for fishing, hiking trails, mountain biking, kayaking, and fishing with five parks within its borders. Elkin is located between two state parks, Stone Mountain and Pilot Mountain, giving access to more options for rustic recreation. The town is also near the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of nation’s most scenic byways.

Food truck festivals, 5K marathons, concerts, and wine and beer festivals are held in Elkin every year. Go to the annual Yadkin Valley Wine Festival, a family-friendly event featuring food, music, vendors, and dozens of local wineries. Elkin also has a lively arts and music scene. Multiple music festivals are held throughout the year while the Foothills Arts Council hosts community plays, gallery shows, poetry slams, music lessons, and art lessons. Head over to the Reeves Theater to catch live weekly music or sew a project at Yadkin Valley quilts.

The town is a popular destination because of its low cost of living and high-performing schools. Elkin was ranked 5th in the state for excellent schools by the State Board of Education in 2019. The town’s school system was the first in the country to integrate the STEAM curriculum in grades K-12.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$60,191

Average: $78,204

Education

1,049

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

2,556

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

45 Years

Largest Age Group

50-59 Years

Approximately 13% of Residents

Under 20

22%

Over 65

25%

Housing Distribution

Elkin has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
42%
Non-Renters
58%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
19%
Other Education
81%

Learn More About Elkin

Getting Around

Somewhat Walkable

Walkability

20 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

100 / 100

Schools

Elkin Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

578 Students

Elkin Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

578 Students

Appalachian State Univ Academy at Elkin

Public

Grades K-5

90 Students

C B Eller Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

282 Students

C B Eller Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

282 Students

Elkin Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

188 Students

Elkin Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

185 Students

Elkin High

Public

Grades 9-12

399 Students

Elkin High School

Public

Grades 9-12

399 Students

Points of Interest

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.