Median Income
$66,194
12% lower than US avg
Home Value
$379,200
35% higher than US avg
Violent Crime
299/100K
21% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
18.6%
45% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$987
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
36.1%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment
3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
17.4%
40% higher than US avg
How Elma Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population3,452
Median Age42.6 yrs
Density1,251/mi²
Male / Female56% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 78%
Economy
B+
Median Income$66,194
Per Capita$30,412
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty17.4%
County GDP$3,829M
Commute28 min
Housing
B
Home Value$379,200
Rent$987
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$360,464
Crime
F
Violent299/100K
Property4,084/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault199/100K
Burglary1,228/100K
Health
Obesity36.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.4%
Heart Disease5.9%
Climate
Avg Temp52°F
AQI28 (Good)
Rain72.0 in/yr
Elevation55 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+18.6%
High School+81.0%
School Score5.36
Community
2024 VoteR 52% / D 46%
Commute28 min
EV Stations1
Libraries9
Is Elma a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Elma receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate. Elma has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Elma is $66,194, 12% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 17.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Elma is $379,200, 35% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $987 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.
Safety & Crime
Violent crime in Elma is below the national average at 299 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,084 per 100,000, 108% above the national average.
Education
18.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.
Climate & Weather
Elma experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 72.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.
Elma has a population of 3,452 with a density of 1,251 people per square mile. The median age is 42.6 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77.8%), with 6.8% Hispanic.
Population
42.6yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 88.8% |
| 13% above US avg |
| Spanish | 11.2% |
| 16% below US avg |
The median household income in Elma is $66,194, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.
Income
| Median HH Income | $66,194 |
| 12% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $30,412 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,092 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $66,888 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 3.0% |
| 17% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% |
| 40% above US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 1,854 |
| County GDP | $3,829M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 246 |
| Healthcare | 164 |
| Retail | 246 |
| Manufacturing | 73 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $4,943 |
| 41% above US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.30% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 28.4 min |
| Work from Home | 8.7% |
The median home value in Elma is $379,200, 35% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $987 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $360,464.
Home Values
| Census Median | $379,200 |
| 35% above US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $360,464 |
| Median List Price | $447,500 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
| Median List Price | $447,500 |
| $/Sq Ft | $301 |
| Homes Sold | 4 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 99.6% |
| Price Drops | 25.0% |
| Inventory | 12 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $987 |
| 15% below US avg |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $1,082 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,180 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,472 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,003 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,351 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $4,943 |
| 41% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 1.30% |
In Elma, 36.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.4% report depression. 22.7% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Elma vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 36.1% |
| 12% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 10.3% |
| Heart Disease | 5.9% |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.9% |
| Asthma | 12.1% |
| COPD | 6.8% |
| Stroke | 3.2% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 18.0% |
| Physical Inactivity | 22.7% |
| Depression | 29.4% |
| Mental Distress | 21.3% |
| Physical Distress | 15.0% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 94.2% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 65.3% |
| Premature Death | 10,513/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.4/10 |
| Exercise Access | 59.6% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 164 |
Elma has a violent crime rate of 299 per 100,000 residents, 21% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,084 per 100,000 (108% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.
Crime Rates: Elma vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
| Total Violent | 298.8/100K |
| 21% below US avg |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg |
| Rape | 66.4/100K |
| Robbery | 33.2/100K |
| Assault | 199.2/100K |
Property Crime
| Total Property | 4,083.7/100K |
| 108% above US avg |
| Burglary | 1,228.4/100K |
| Theft | 2,622.8/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 232.4/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 15 |
| FEMA Disasters | 91 |
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
Elma has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation is 72.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 52.3°F |
| 3% below US avg |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 72.0 inches |
| 90% above US avg |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 55 ft (17 m) |
| Area | 2.8 sq mi (7.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,251/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.0052°N, 123.4108°W |
| County FIPS | 53027 |