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CITY

Elkader

Iowa · 1,183 residents (2025 est.) · 1.367 sq mi
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The short version

Elkader has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $62,857. Population has declined 12% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $143,200.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,293
−12%since 2000
from 1,465 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
946 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 1,072 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.5
−11%since 2000
from 45.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,183 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K2K1990201020202024Elkader
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,857
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,857 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,661
+130%since 2000
from $16,785 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
40.4%
+17.4 ptssince 2009
from 23.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.5%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.486
+42%since 2010
from 0.342 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade13.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing10.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Retail trade9.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance7.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Construction5.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical5%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing4.5%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services2.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$143,200
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $66,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$859
+69%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $279 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
74.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 75.3% in 2000
25.4% rent
Vacancy rate
15.3%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.5%
+8.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.7%
+19.7 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.3
+13%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
39
RELATED:See current rent listings in Elkader on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.2%(1,454)
Black0.1%(2)
Hispanic / Latino0.1%(1)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0.5%(8)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.1%(1,217)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino4.4%(57)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.5%(19)
Diversity Score14%(181)
Diversity Score
14
+2623%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.0%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 19.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.9%
+16.1 ptssince 2000
from 80.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.8 min
+57%since 2000
from 10.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.0%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 71.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
1.9%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.6%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.4%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 2.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.3%
−8.9 ptssince 2011
from 66.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.0%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
41.4%
−22.0 ptssince 2009
from 63.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
Female
50.8%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
Foreign born
2.2%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.8%
−33.8 ptssince 2009
from 43.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2012
from 13.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.1%
−94.5 ptssince 2013
from 96.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.2%
+13.8 ptssince 2017
from 71.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.6%
−1.6 ptssince 2016
from 99.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.4%
+2.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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ELKADER VS
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ELKADER VS
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ELKADER VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Elkader, Iowa?

Elkader, Iowa has about 1,293 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Elkader, Iowa?

The typical household in Elkader, Iowa earns about $62,857 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Elkader, Iowa expensive?

In Elkader, Iowa, the median home is worth about $143,200, and the typical rent is about $859 a month.

How educated are people in Elkader, Iowa?

About 26.0% of adults age 25 and over in Elkader, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Elkader, Iowa?

About 9.5% of people in Elkader, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Elkader, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Elkader, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 211 residents, a change of about -14 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →