Elma, IA Profile: Facts & Data

The City of Elma had a population of 514 as of July 1, 2024. Elma ranks in the lower quartile for Diversity Index when compared to the other cities, towns and Census Designated Places (CDPs) in Iowa. See peer rankings below.

The primary coordinate point for Elma is located at latitude 43.2466 and longitude -92.436 in Howard County. The formal boundaries for the City of Elma encompass a land area of 1.29 sq. miles and a water area of 0 sq. miles. Howard County is in the Central time zone (GMT -6).

The City of Elma has a C1 Census Class Code which indicates an active incorporated place that does not serve as a county subdivision equivalent. It also has a Functional Status Code of "A" which identifies an active government providing primary general-purpose functions.

Elma, IA Data & Demographics (As of July 1, 2024)

POPULATION
Total Population	514 (100%)
Population in Households	484 (94.2%)
Population in Families	374 (72.8%)
Population in Group Quarters¹	30 ( 5.8%)
Population Density	419
Diversity Index²	8


INCOME
Median Household Income	$57,728
Average Household Income	$77,174
% of Income for Mortgage⁴	20%
Per Capita Income	$35,801
Wealth Index⁵	64
Socioeconomic Status Index⁶	Moderate (49.4)

HOUSING
Total HU (Housing Units)	275 (100%)
Owner Occupied HU	190 (69.1%)
Renter Occupied HU	48 (17.5%)
Vacant Housing Units	37 (13.5%)
Median Home Value	$185,714
Average Home Value	$280,395
Housing Affordability Index³	117

HOUSEHOLDS
Total Households	238
Average Household Size	2.03
Family Households	154
Average Family Size	2.00

NOTES

Group Quarters - a place where people live or stay in a group living arrangement. Includes college residents halls, nursing facilities, military barracks, and correctional facilities.
The Diversity Index is a scale of 0 to 100 that represents the likelihood that two persons, chosen at random from the same area, belong to different races or ethnic groups. If an area's entire population belongs to one race AND one ethnic group, then the area has zero diversity. An area's diversity index increases to 100 when the population is evenly divided into two or more race/ethnic groups.
The Housing Affordability Index base is 100 and represents a balance point where a resident with a median household income can normally qualify to purchase a median price home. Values above 100 indicate increased affordability, while values below 100 indicate decreased affordability.
The % of Income for Mortgage quantifies the percentage of median household income dedicated to mortgage payments on a home priced at the median value (assuming a 30-year mortgage and a 20% down payment).
The Wealth Index is based on a number of indicators of affluence including average household income and average net worth, but it also includes the value of material possessions and resources. It represents the wealth of the area relative to the national level. Values above or below 100 represent above-average wealth or below-average wealth compared to the national level.
The Socioeconomic Index ranges from zero (lowest relative status) to 100 (highest relative status). This measure quantifies disparities in social position of an area's inhabitants and is built from a broad range of demographic, housing, and socioeconomic inputs. More information on this measure can be found in Esri's SEI tutorial.

Elma, IA - Peer Comparisons by Rank and Percentile

The table below compares Elma to the other 1,026 incorporated cities, towns and CDPs in Iowa by rank and percentile using July 1, 2024 data. The location Ranked # 1 has the highest value. A location that ranks higher than 75% of its peers would be in the 75th percentile of the peer group.

GROWTH RATE / YEAR	2020-2024	2024-2029
Population	0.42%	0.50%
Households	0.00%	0.42%
Families		0.64%
Median Household Income		1.02%
Per Capita Income		2.54%
Owner Occupied HU		0.21%

Variable Description	Rank	Percentile
Total Population	# 441	57th
Population Density	# 660	36th
Median Household Income	# 907	12th
Housing Affordability Index	# 399	39th
Per Capita Income	# 732	29th
Diversity Index	# 899	12th

Elma, IA Profile: Facts & Data

Elma, Iowa - Basic Facts

Elma, IA Data & Demographics (As of July 1, 2024)

POPULATION

INCOME

HOUSING

HOUSEHOLDS

GROWTH RATE / YEAR

Elma, IA - Peer Comparisons by Rank and Percentile

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