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Elma, IA
City in Howard County, Iowa.
Population
659
Land area
1.2sq mi
People per sq mi
537
ZIP codes
0
Elma and its ZIP codes
Elma at a glance
- Elma is about 9.3 times as dense as Iowa as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $44,375 a year, 41% less than the Iowa figure of $75,059.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $81,300 (61% below Iowa) and median rent is $689 a month.
Local data for Elma, IA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Elma, IA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$44,375
Poverty rate
18.8%
Median home value
$81,300
Median rent
$689/mo
Homeownership
68.8%
Bachelor's or higher
10.4%
Median age
44.3
Average commute
23.2 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (288), Norwegian Americans (90), Irish Americans (76).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Howard County. PPP loans are for Elma.
Unemployment rate
3.1%
Aug 2026, +0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$50,299
4,358 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$66,810
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$75.8M
FY 2026, $8,005 per person
How people get to work
Elma, IA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone77.3%
- Carpooled12.6%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked8.3%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home1.8%
Average one-way commute: 23.2 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Elma, IA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: drought
Storm events since 1996
428
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
14
0.3% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
81° / 6°F
40.6 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Elma, IA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
38.4%
U.S. 33.3% +5.1 pts
Diabetes
17.4%
U.S. 12.1% +5.3 pts
Smoking
17.4%
U.S. 12.8% +4.6 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
8.0%
U.S. 11.1% -3.1 pts
Cities near Elma
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Alta VistaCity | 3.4 mi | 0.8 |
| North WashingtonCity | 8.8 mi | 0.2 |
| ColwellCity | 9.7 mi | 0.2 |
| RicevilleCity | 9.8 mi | 1.1 |
| New HavenCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 1.9 |
| BassettCity | 13 mi | 0.4 |
| IoniaCity | 14 mi | 0.6 |
| New HamptonCity | 14 mi | 3.4 |
| McIntireCity | 15 mi | 1 |
| Lime SpringsCity | 17 mi | 1 |
| OrchardCity | 17 mi | 0.1 |
| FloydCity | 17 mi | 0.6 |
| Little CedarCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 0.5 |
| Charles CityCity | 17 mi | 6.1 |
| ChesterCity | 18 mi | 1.4 |
| ProtivinCity | 18 mi | 0.4 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Elma, IA in?
- Elma is in Howard County, Iowa.
- What is the population of Elma, IA?
- About 659 people live in Elma, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Elma?
- Nearby places include Alta Vista (3.4 mi), North Washington (8.8 mi), Colwell (9.7 mi), Riceville (9.8 mi), New Haven (11 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023