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Elma, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Howard County County
2.6
/5.0
C+
Fair
618
Population
502/sq mi density
$41,528
Median Income
$22,565 per capita
$71,400
Home Value
$209,483 Zillow
$668
Median Rent
40.2% income on rent
45°F
Avg Temperature
246 sunny days/yr
140
Violent Crime/100K
644 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$41,528 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$71,400 home value, $668/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
140 violent crimes/100K
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Elma has a cool climate with 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. The area receives 38.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
71°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 44.7°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,179 ft (359 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 502/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.2457°N, 92.4387°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Howard County County |
| Nearest Airport | Northeast Iowa Regional (CCY) 15 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 15.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 75.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 71°F (21°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.3 in |
Elma has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 14°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (0.9").