Elkhart, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Elkhart is a small town in Iowa with a population of 680. Residents earn $81,771 per year, which is 9% above the national average.

4.2 /5.0
A Great
680 Population 360/sq mi density
$81,771 Median Income $37,506 per capita
$241,700 Home Value $314,122 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.2 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$81,771 median income, 0.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$241,700 home value
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
25.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $81,771
9% higher than US avg
Home Value $241,700
14% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.8%
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.2%
3% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.7%
54% lower than US avg

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

People

Population680
Median Age38.7 yrs
Density360/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A+
Median Income$81,771
Per Capita$37,506
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty5.7%
County GDP$63,823M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$241,700
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$314,122

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.5%
Heart Disease4.3%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.1 in/yr
Elevation973 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.8%
High School+92.7%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 55%
Commute28 min
Libraries19

Is Elkhart a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elkhart receives an overall livability score of 4.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Elkhart stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elkhart is $81,771, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 5.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elkhart is $241,700, 14% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

25.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Elkhart 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 37.1 inches, including 24.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Elkhart has a population of 680 with a density of 360 people per square mile. The median age is 38.7 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.1%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 3.2% Black.

Population

680
Total Population
360
People / sq mi
38.7yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.9%
Female 48.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Elkhart vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Elkhart vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elkhart is $81,771, which is 9% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Elkhart vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$81,771
9% above US avg
Per Capita Income$37,506
Avg Weekly Wage$1,395
IRS Avg AGI$93,610

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.7%
54% below US avg
Establishments (County)20,581
County GDP$63,823M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,227
Healthcare1,513
Retail1,606
Manufacturing341

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,943
98% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.4 min
Work from Home13.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Elkhart is $241,700, 14% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $314,122.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$241,700
14% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$314,122
Median List Price$311,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$311,000
$/Sq Ft$219
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio99.0%
Price Drops14.3%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,943
98% above US avg
Effective Rate2.87%
In Elkhart, 33.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.5% report depression. 17.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Elkhart vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.2%
3% above US avg
Diabetes7.4%
Heart Disease4.3%
High Blood Pressure26.4%
Asthma9.4%
COPD4.1%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.1%
Physical Inactivity17.3%
Depression21.5%
Mental Distress15.7%
Physical Distress10.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.8%
Checkup Rate74.7%
Premature Death7,653/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access90.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,513

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Elkhart 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 37.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

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

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.1 inches
3% below US avg
Snowfall24.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation973 ft (297 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density360/sq mi
Coordinates41.7942°N, 93.5232°W
County FIPS19153
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 25.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.9%
D 54.8%

Winner: Democrat by 10.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.8%
23% below US avg
High School+92.7%
School Test Score5.73
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density360/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries19
Healthcare Facilities1,513
Restaurants1,227
Retail Stores1,606

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.4 min
Work from Home13.4%

Nearby Cities

Compare Elkhart with another city: