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Elma, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Howard County County
Elma, IA
At a Glance
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)
Is Elma a Good Place to Live?
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 1.2% (67% 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 $209,483. 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.
Safety & Crime
Elma reports 140 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 63% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 644/100K.
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. The area gets 246 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 40.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.