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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
Housing Overview
Median Home Value
$71,400
75% below
US avg: $281,900
Median Rent
$668/mo
43% below
US avg: $1,163/mo
Homeownership Rate
62.3%
5% below US avg (65.4%)
Total Housing Units
290
Median year built: 1938
Home Value by Source
Census Median
$71,400
Zillow (ZHVI)
$209,483
Census ACS, Zillow ZHVI, Redfin median sale price
Ownership vs. Renting
62.3%
Owner-Occupied
37.7%
Renter-Occupied
US avg: 65.4% owner-occupied
Fair Market Rents (HUD FY2026)
Studio
$738/mo
1 Bedroom
$788/mo
2 Bedroom
$989/mo
3 Bedroom
$1,282/mo
4 Bedroom
$1,420/mo
Census median rent:
$668/mo
Affordability & Housing Stock
Rent Burden
40.2%
of renters spending 30%+ of income on housing
30% above US avg (31.0%)
Median Year Built
1938
Average age of housing stock: 88 years
Homeownership Rate
62.3%
Complete Housing Data
Home Values
| Census Median Value | $71,400 |
| Zillow Home Value (ZHVI) | $209,483 |
Rent
| Census Median Rent | $668 |
| FMR Studio | $738 |
| FMR 1-Bedroom | $788 |
| FMR 2-Bedroom | $989 |
| FMR 3-Bedroom | $1,282 |
| FMR 4-Bedroom | $1,420 |
Market
Ownership & Stock
| Owner-Occupied | 62.3% |
| Renter-Occupied | 37.7% |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.3% |
| Total Housing Units | 290 |
| Median Year Built | 1938 |
| Rent Burden | 40.2% |