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CITY · 2020 ACS

Elma

Iowa · 505 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 $27,330. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 93 residents. 3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $60,300. With a median age of 57.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 56% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 57.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
3% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
505
−16%since 2000
from 598 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
412 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 487 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
57.2
+25%since 2000
from 45.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4234885546196841990201020202024Elma
2024659
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$27,330
−34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,417 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,800
+23%since 2000
from $15,263 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
15.1%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
38.2%
+20.8 ptssince 2000
from 17.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade31.9%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade8.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Information8.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services1.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$60,300
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$493
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $317 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
73.1%
−5.8 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
26.9% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+72%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic95.4%(482)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(11)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score5.5%(28)
Diversity Score
5
+1200%since 2000
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
3.4%
−5.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.0%
+18.6 ptssince 2000
from 75.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
0.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.4 min
+1%since 2000
from 21.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.0%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 76.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.2%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.3%
−9.2 ptssince 2011
from 11.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2011
from 53.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.2%
−26.5 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
40.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 40.9% in 2009
Female
59.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.1% in 2009
Foreign born
1.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.3%
−84.2 ptssince 2013
from 90.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Elma, Iowa?

Elma, Iowa has about 505 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Elma, Iowa?

The typical household in Elma, Iowa earns about $27,330 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 $60,300, and the typical rent is about $493 a month.

How educated are people in Elma, Iowa?

About 3.4% 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 38.2% 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 157 residents, a change of about -24 percent over that period.

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

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