Living in Elma, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Elma · Census data 2020–2024
Elma has 659 residents with a median age of 44.3. The median household income is $44,375 (41% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $81,300, the median rent is $689/month.
Elma is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Elma at a glance
- Population
- 659
- Median age
- 44.3State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $44,375State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $81,300State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $689/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 68.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 10.4%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Elma a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 61% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.4%.
Cons: Median household income 41% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 23 minutes; a poverty rate of 18.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Elma
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Elma the median home value is $81,300, 76% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $689 per month, which is 40.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,201 a month in housing costs.
Elma median household income
The median household income in Elma is $44,375 and the income per person is $30,227. 18.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Elma: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 337
- Owner-occupied
- 68.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 31.2%
- Vacant
- 12.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1943
- Average household size
- 2.12
Elma demographics
- Population
- 659
- Median age
- 44.3
- Under 18
- 17.5%
- 65 and older
- 30.3%
- Households
- 295
- Foreign-born
- 2.4%
- Veterans
- 5.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Elma ›
Education in Elma
10.4% of adults 25 and older in Elma have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 2.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Elma
- Unemployment rate
- 1.4%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 1.8%
- Drive alone
- 77.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 8.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 73.9%
Elma vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elma | 659 | $44,375 | $81,300 | $689 |
| Alta Vista | 194 | $44,500 | $68,200 | $640 |
| North Washington | 134 | $71,964 | $135,000 | — |
| Riceville | 823 | $44,615 | $112,100 | $1,156 |
| New Hampton | 3,453 | $62,870 | $167,700 | $743 |
| Ionia | 336 | $73,945 | $95,700 | $533 |
| Lime Springs | 442 | $53,750 | $99,100 | $538 |
| Floyd | 315 | $63,393 | $107,700 | $700 |
| Charles City | 7,232 | $59,180 | $115,400 | $735 |
More for people moving to Elma
Elma ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Elma: FAQ
What is the median household income in Elma, IA?
The median household income in Elma is $44,375, 41% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Elma?
The median home value in Elma is $81,300, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Elma?
The median gross rent in Elma is $689 per month, about 40.2% of household income.
Is Elma, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 61% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.4%. Minuses: median household income 41% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 23 minutes; a poverty rate of 18.8%.
What is the median age in Elma?
The median age in Elma is 44.3 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Elma?
The average commute to work in Elma is 23 minutes; 1.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Elma?
The unemployment rate in Elma is 1.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Elma?
10.4% of adults in Elma have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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