Living in Elma, Washington
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Elma · Census data 2020–2024
Elma has 3,483 residents with a median age of 42.6. The median household income is $78,086 (20% lower than the Washington median), the median home value is $409,600, the median rent is $984/month.
Elma at a glance
- Population
- 3,483
- Median age
- 42.6State: 38.3
- Median household income
- $78,086State: $98,141
- Median home value
- $409,600State: $564,600
- Median rent
- $984/moState: $1,760
- Homeowners
- 66.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.3%
- Average commute
- 31 min
Is Elma a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 27% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.5%.
Cons: Median household income 20% lower than the Washington median; an average commute of 31 minutes; a poverty rate of 24.9%.
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 $409,600, 23% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $984 per month, which is 27.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,920 a month in housing costs.
Elma median household income
The median household income in Elma is $78,086 and the income per person is $34,165. 24.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Washington: 9.9%).
Housing in Elma: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,371
- Owner-occupied
- 66.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 33.3%
- Vacant
- 9.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Average household size
- 2.71
Elma demographics
- Population
- 3,483
- Median age
- 42.6
- Under 18
- 21%
- 65 and older
- 16.3%
- Households
- 1,245
- Foreign-born
- 6%
- Veterans
- 8.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Elma ›
Education in Elma
21.3% of adults 25 and older in Elma have a bachelor's degree or higher (Washington: 39.6%), and 4.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Elma
- Unemployment rate
- 3.5%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 31 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 7.6%
- Drive alone
- 70%
- Public transit
- 1.3%
- Walk to work
- 6.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.7%
Elma vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elma | 3,483 | $78,086 | $409,600 | $984 |
| Satsop | 780 | $62,241 | $350,000 | $3,501 |
| Malone | 518 | $117,969 | $447,800 | — |
| Brady | 832 | $108,750 | $370,500 | — |
| McCleary | 2,094 | $77,813 | $351,700 | $1,077 |
| Montesano | 4,183 | $67,540 | $354,300 | $1,195 |
| Central Park | 3,206 | $99,127 | $335,500 | $1,117 |
| Oakville | 878 | $63,893 | $230,800 | $1,139 |
| Cosmopolis | 2,202 | $84,853 | $317,000 | — |
More for people moving to Elma
Elma ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Elma: FAQ
What is the median household income in Elma, WA?
The median household income in Elma is $78,086, 20% lower than the Washington median of $98,141 (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 $409,600, compared with $564,600 in Washington.
How much is rent in Elma?
The median gross rent in Elma is $984 per month, about 27.4% of household income.
Is Elma, WA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 27% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.5%. Minuses: median household income 20% lower than the Washington median; an average commute of 31 minutes; a poverty rate of 24.9%.
What is the median age in Elma?
The median age in Elma is 42.6 years (Washington: 38.3).
How long is the commute in Elma?
The average commute to work in Elma is 31 minutes; 7.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Elma?
The unemployment rate in Elma is 3.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Elma?
21.3% 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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