At a Glance
Median Income
$41,528
$22,565 per capita
Home Value
$71,400
Zillow: $234,842
Median Rent
$668/mo
40.2% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
11.7%
91.5% high school+
Unemployment
2.4%
31.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
40.2%
20.2% smoking rate
How Elma Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Elma's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Elma a Good Place to Live?
B
3.2 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Elma residents earn a median household income of $41,528 , which is 45% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $22,565. The unemployment rate stands at 2.4% (33% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 31.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 341 business establishments, including 17 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Elma is $71,400 , 75% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $234,842. Median rent is $668/month, with 40.2% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1938.
Education
11.7% of adults in Elma hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(65% below the national average).
91.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.5/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Elma has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C).
Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.1 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population618
Median Age48.0 yrs
Density502/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Foreign Born3.4%
Veterans8.2%
Economy
C+
Median Income$41,528
Per Capita$22,565
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty31.3%
County GDP$727M
Avg Weekly Wage$927
Housing
A+
Home Value$71,400
Rent$668
Ownership62.3%
Zillow$234,842
Housing Units290
Rent Burden40.2%
Health
Obesity40.2%
Diabetes10.9%
Smoking20.2%
Heart Disease6.5%
Premature Death6,255/100K
Climate
Avg Temp45°F
Rain38.1 in/yr
Elevation1,179 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+11.7%
High School+91.5%
Graduate+2.0%
School Score5.5/10
Community
2024 VoteR 65% / D 33%
Commute25 min
Broadband70.7%
Internet Speed90 Mbps
EV Stations4
Libraries3
Did You Know?
The median home in Elma was built in 1938.
The nearest airport is Northeast Iowa Regional (15 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.419 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
19.1% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 2 fatal vehicle crashes.