Elk Horn, IA

Iowa

Elk Horn is a small town in Iowa with a population of 623. Residents earn $60,000 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
623 Population 853/sq mi density
$60,000 Median Income $29,496 per capita
$125,300 Home Value $188,641 Zillow
$643 Median Rent 23.1% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$60,000 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$125,300 home value, $643/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,000
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $125,300
56% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.3%
28% lower than US avg
Median Rent $643
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.7%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.2%
6% higher than US avg

How Elk Horn Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population623
Median Age46.3 yrs
Density853/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans7.3%

Economy

B+
Median Income$60,000
Per Capita$29,496
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty13.2%
County GDP$1,051M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$125,300
Rent$643
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$188,641
Rent Burden23.1%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.1%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain34.3 in/yr
Elevation1,361 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.3%
High School+93.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute24 min
Broadband92.5%
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Elk Horn a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elk Horn receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, strong internet connectivity. Elk Horn offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elk Horn is $60,000, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. 13.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elk Horn is $125,300, 56% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $643 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Elk Horn experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches, including 30.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Elk Horn has a population of 623 with a density of 853 people per square mile. The median age is 46.3 years, 19% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.5%), with 1.8% Hispanic.

Population

623
Total Population
853
People / sq mi
46.3yrs
Median Age
19% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.2%
Female 53.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Elk Horn vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.4%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.6%
88% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Elk Horn vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elk Horn is $60,000, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Elk Horn vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,000
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,496
Avg Weekly Wage$982
IRS Avg AGI$77,398

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.2%
6% above US avg
Establishments (County)444
County GDP$1,051M

Business (County)

Restaurants26
Healthcare42
Retail44
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,339
24% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.46%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.1 min
Drive Alone75.1%
Public Transit0.8%
Work from Home13.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Elk Horn is $125,300, 56% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $643 (45% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $188,641.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$125,300
56% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$188,641

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$643
45% below US avg
Rent Burden23.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied83.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,339
24% above US avg
Effective Rate3.46%
In Elk Horn, 36.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.1% report depression. 22.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Elk Horn vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.7%
14% above US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure28.6%
Asthma9.9%
COPD5.4%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.1%
Physical Inactivity22.2%
Depression21.1%
Mental Distress16.9%
Physical Distress11.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.5%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death6,814/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access51.1%
Healthcare Facilities42

Crime Rates: Elk Horn vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Elk Horn has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.3 inches
10% below US avg
Snowfall30.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,361 ft (415 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density853/sq mi
Coordinates41.5931°N, 95.0613°W
County FIPS19165
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 24.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43-point margin. 92.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.9%
D 27.9%

Winner: Republican by 43 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.3%
28% below US avg
High School+93.6%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density853/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access92.5%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities42
Restaurants26
Retail Stores44

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.1 min
Drive Alone75.1%
Public Transit0.8%
Work from Home13.0%

Nearby Cities

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