Elkader, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elkader, Iowa had a total population of 1,293, the 242nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $62,857, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.6%.
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 2.3x.
Elkader Quick Facts
How Elkader 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 | 1,249 | 1,293 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $61,786 | $62,857 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $134,300 | $143,200 | +6.6% |
How Elkader 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+)
Elkader Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Clayton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postville | 2,979 | $49,485 | 23.7% | $104,700 |
| Guttenberg | 1,782 | $57,599 | 24.7% | $193,900 |
| Monona | 1,531 | $74,286 | 7.3% | $140,800 |
| Strawberry Point | 1,267 | $57,778 | 11.3% | $114,700 |
| Garnavillo | 816 | $75,357 | 12.3% | $123,100 |
| McGregor | 719 | $57,361 | 12.4% | $161,100 |
| Marquette | 443 | $42,292 | 22.6% | $164,400 |
| Farmersburg | 375 | $51,667 | 12.8% | $78,000 |
| Luana | 317 | $76,750 | 8.2% | $152,700 |
| Volga | 216 | $54,063 | 6.9% | $80,700 |
Cities Similar to Elkader
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut | 1,342 | $62,500 | $115,900 | 14.1% | 12.4% |
| Clarksville | 1,237 | $62,917 | $125,900 | 17.9% | 9.1% |
| Bedford | 1,336 | $60,781 | $96,800 | 14.5% | 10.0% |
| Sanborn | 1,323 | $59,417 | $168,500 | 23.8% | 13.5% |
| Baxter | 1,247 | $60,952 | $166,700 | 17.6% | 14.7% |
Population Overview
Elkader is a small community located in Iowa, within Clayton County. The total population is 1,293. It ranks as the 242nd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elkader is 40.5 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elkader is $62,857. This is 16% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.6%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Elkader, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $143,200. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Elkader is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elkader has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.4%.
Education
26.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 96.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elkader, 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 Elkader, Iowa?
Elkader, Iowa has a population of 1,293 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elkader, IA?
The median household income in Elkader is $62,857, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elkader, IA?
The poverty rate in Elkader is 9.6%. This means approximately 120 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elkader, Iowa?
Elkader's population is 94.1% White, 0.0% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elkader, IA?
The median home value in Elkader is $143,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Elkader, Iowa?
26.0% of adults (25+) in Elkader hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.