Elk Horn, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elk Horn, Iowa had a total population of 728, the 381st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $64,250, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Elk Horn Quick Facts
How Elk Horn Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 623 | 728 | +16.9% |
| Median household income | $60,000 | $64,250 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $125,300 | $133,200 | +6.3% |
How Elk Horn Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elk Horn Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Shelby County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harlan | 4,891 | $57,488 | 9.0% | $152,500 |
| Shelby | 752 | $63,654 | 10.2% | $162,500 |
| Earling | 478 | $43,750 | 9.3% | $125,000 |
| Irwin | 352 | $40,417 | 15.5% | $72,900 |
| Defiance | 251 | $53,542 | 11.6% | $101,600 |
| Panama | 245 | $63,125 | 7.4% | $142,200 |
| Portsmouth | 204 | $80,781 | 4.9% | $125,000 |
| Westphalia | 117 | $77,083 | 3.4% | $97,400 |
| Tennant | 84 | $62,885 | 0.0% | $210,000 |
| Kirkman | 58 | $77,917 | 10.3% | $118,800 |
Cities Similar to Elk Horn
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montrose | 744 | $66,250 | $103,500 | 12.8% | 11.7% |
| Shelby | 752 | $63,654 | $162,500 | 10.7% | 10.2% |
| Washburn | 714 | $61,406 | $142,300 | 25.7% | 2.7% |
| Sioux Rapids | 722 | $60,000 | $88,700 | 18.5% | 6.1% |
| Ruthven | 732 | $58,625 | $105,700 | 18.6% | 15.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 728, Elk Horn's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Elk Horn is a small community located in Iowa, within Shelby County. The total population is 728. It ranks as the 381st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elk Horn is 46.4 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 15.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elk Horn is $64,250. This is 14% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $133,200. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Elk Horn is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elk Horn is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.6% of the population. Asian residents account for 7.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.7% vs 2.5%).
Education
31.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elk Horn, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Elk Horn, Iowa?
Elk Horn, Iowa has a population of 728 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elk Horn, IA?
The median household income in Elk Horn is $64,250, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elk Horn, IA?
The poverty rate in Elk Horn is 12.0%. This means approximately 79 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elk Horn, Iowa?
Elk Horn's population is 84.6% White, 0.0% Black, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elk Horn, IA?
The median home value in Elk Horn is $133,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Elk Horn, Iowa?
31.1% of adults (25+) in Elk Horn hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.