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CITY

Elma

Washington · 3,534 residents (2025 est.) · 2.764 sq mi
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The short version

Elma has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $78,086. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $409,600. The poverty rate of 24.9% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 134%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,483
+14%since 2000
from 3,049 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,260 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 1,103 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.6
+26%since 2000
from 33.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,534 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K4K1990201020202024Elma
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$78,086
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,031 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,165
+151%since 2000
from $13,629 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
51.5%
+33.4 ptssince 2009
from 18.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
24.9%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.408
+35%since 2010
from 0.303 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing20.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction20.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade11%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade2.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$409,600
+134%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $96,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$984
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $504 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
66.7%
+11.7 ptssince 2000
from 55.0% in 2000
33.3% rent
Vacancy rate
9.2%
−8.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.1%
−17.3 ptssince 2009
from 31.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.2%
+19.7 ptssince 2009
from 22.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.2
+75%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
85
RELATED:See current rent listings in Elma on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.3%(2,724)
Black0.6%(18)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(111)
Asian1.3%(39)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.9%(423)
2024
White, non-Hispanic79.4%(2,767)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino16.3%(569)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.2%(147)
Diversity Score42.6%(1,482)
Diversity Score
43
+206%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.3%
+11.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
79.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 80.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.9 min
+79%since 2000
from 17.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.0%
−15.6 ptssince 2009
from 85.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.5%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.6%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.5%
−7.5 ptssince 2011
from 11.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.8%
−1.0 ptssince 2011
from 57.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.1%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
25.6%
−16.1 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Female
45.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Foreign born
6.0%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.6%
−43.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.4%
+5.1 ptssince 2012
from 16.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.4%
−69.0 ptssince 2013
from 77.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.7%
+25.0 ptssince 2017
from 64.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
88.2%
−4.8 ptssince 2016
from 93.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
10.4%
+6.7 ptssince 2016
from 3.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Elma to nearby cities

ELMA VS
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Income$52,195−33%
Home value$237,300−42%
Population17,088+384%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ELMA VS
Shelton
Income$69,598−11%
Home value$345,700−16%
Population10,921+209%
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ELMA VS
Tumwater
Income$95,212+22%
Home value$472,200+15%
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ELMA VS
Hoquiam
Income$49,795−36%
Home value$228,200−44%
Population8,710+146%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Elma, Washington?

Elma, Washington has about 3,483 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Elma, Washington?

The typical household in Elma, Washington earns about $78,086 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Elma, Washington expensive?

In Elma, Washington, the median home is worth about $409,600, and the typical rent is about $984 a month.

How educated are people in Elma, Washington?

About 21.3% of adults age 25 and over in Elma, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Elma, Washington?

About 24.9% of people in Elma, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Elma, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Elma, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 472 residents, a change of about 16 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, Washington: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy