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CITY · 2010 ACS

Elma

Iowa · 546 residents · 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 $33,750. Population has declined 9% since 2000. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $60,000. With a median age of 51.3, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 31% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 51.3
US median: 37.2
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 35%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
546
−9%since 2000
from 598 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
445 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 487 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
51.3
+12%since 2000
from 45.6 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
4234885546196841990201020202024Elma
2024659
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,750
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,417 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,633
+16%since 2000
from $15,263 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
11.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
12.8%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 17.4% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.418
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade19.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Information9.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Transportation & warehousing6.4%
US avg: 3.1%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 7%
Public administration4.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 4.2%
Wholesale trade3.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$60,000
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,100 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$383
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $317 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
32.1%
−46.8 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
25.0% rent
Vacancy rate
11.7%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
21.9%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
14.0%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
1.8
+39%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic94.9%(518)
Black1.3%(7)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(8)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.6%(8)
Diversity Score10.5%(57)
Diversity Score
11
+2410%since 2000
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
87.4%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 75.4% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
1.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.9 min
−21%since 2000
from 21.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
78.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 76.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
7.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.6%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
5.1%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
2.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
6.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
5.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
15.1%
−39.6 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.6%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 40.9% in 2009
Female
52.4%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.1% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
21.9%
−20.8 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Elma, Iowa?

Elma, Iowa has about 546 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Elma, Iowa?

The typical household in Elma, Iowa earns about $33,750 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 $60,000, and the typical rent is about $383 a month.

How educated are people in Elma, Iowa?

About 7.1% 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 12.8% 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 116 residents, a change of about -18 percent over that period.

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

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