| City | Rank | 2026 Pop. ↓ | 2020 Pop. | Annual Change | Density (/mi²) | Area (mi²) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banner Elk | 1 | 1,272 | 1,118 | 2.42% | 663 | 2 | Town |
| Newland | 2 | 732 | 712 | 0.55% | 979 | 1 | Town |
| Beech Mountain | 3 | 657 | 664 | -0.3% | 101 | 6 | Town |
| Elk Park | 4 | 555 | 537 | 0.54% | 803 | 1 | Town |
| Sugar Mountain | 5 | 384 | 373 | 0.52% | 156 | 2 | Village |
| Seven Devils | 6 | 314 | 314 | 0% | 142 | 2 | Town |
| Crossnore | 7 | 238 | 235 | 0% | 531 | 0 | Town |
| Grandfather Village | 8 | 97 | 96 | 0% | 63 | 2 | Village |
Banner Elk is the largest city in Avery County, with a population of 1,272.
Grandfather Village is the smallest city in Avery County, with a population of 97.
There are 8 cities in Avery County, North Carolina.