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CITY

Elma

Iowa · 492 residents (2025 est.) · 1.227 sq mi
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The short version

Elma has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $44,375. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $81,300. With a median age of 44.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 41% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
659
+10%since 2000
from 598 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
537 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 487 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.3
−3%since 2000
from 45.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:492 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4234885546196841990201020202024Elma
2024659
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,375
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,417 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,227
+98%since 2000
from $15,263 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.1%
+16.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
18.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 17.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.521
+25%since 2010
from 0.418 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade29.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Information18.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade9.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction5.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$81,300
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$689
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $317 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
68.8%
−10.1 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
31.2% rent
Vacancy rate
12.5%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.1%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.8%
+31.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.8
+43%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Elma on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.3%(594)
Black0.2%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0.4%(3)
2024
White, non-Hispanic96.5%(636)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(9)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.1%(14)
Diversity Score8.5%(56)
Diversity Score
8
+1925%since 2000
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.3%
+15.9 ptssince 2000
from 75.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.2 min
+9%since 2000
from 21.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 76.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.6%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
1.8%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.3%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.4%
−10.1 ptssince 2011
from 11.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 53.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.9%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
13.3%
−41.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.6%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 40.9% in 2009
Female
56.4%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.1% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.1%
−37.6 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2012
from 19.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.8%
−78.7 ptssince 2013
from 90.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
73.9%
+5.1 ptssince 2017
from 68.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.3%
−9.2 ptssince 2016
from 98.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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ELMA VS
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ELMA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Elma, Iowa?

Elma, Iowa has about 659 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Elma, Iowa?

The typical household in Elma, Iowa earns about $44,375 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Elma, Iowa expensive?

In Elma, Iowa, the median home is worth about $81,300, and the typical rent is about $689 a month.

How educated are people in Elma, Iowa?

About 10.4% of adults age 25 and over in Elma, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Elma, Iowa?

About 18.8% of people in Elma, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Elma, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Elma, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 3 residents, a change of about -0 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 →

Elma, Iowa: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy