
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
| Statistic | Banner Elk | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 14min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 55.9% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.2% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.2% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 24.7% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 7.1% | 4.8% | 4.6% |