Elkhart, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elkhart, Iowa had a total population of 899, the 318th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $84,554, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Elkhart Quick Facts
How Elkhart 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 | 680 | 899 | +32.2% |
| Median household income | $81,771 | $84,554 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $241,700 | $253,900 | +5.0% |
How Elkhart 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+)
Elkhart Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | 14.9% | $194,700 |
| Ankeny | 72,615 | $108,198 | 4.2% | $331,000 |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | 8.4% | $309,000 |
| Urbandale | 46,595 | $112,795 | 6.8% | $335,500 |
| Johnston | 24,384 | $106,551 | 10.2% | $369,100 |
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | 8.3% | $274,600 |
| Clive | 19,012 | $132,121 | 7.3% | $401,100 |
| Grimes | 16,366 | $120,037 | 4.4% | $304,700 |
| Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | 4.2% | $303,100 |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | 8.9% | $295,100 |
Cities Similar to Elkhart
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | 890 | $84,091 | $183,700 | 27.2% | 2.3% |
| St. Charles | 914 | $82,841 | $221,300 | 19.7% | 7.5% |
| Arnolds Park | 922 | $86,833 | $438,900 | 39.1% | 6.0% |
| Raymond | 899 | $76,711 | $222,600 | 19.0% | 4.3% |
| West Bend | 855 | $86,154 | $159,700 | 25.1% | 7.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 899, Elkhart'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
Elkhart is a small community located in Iowa, within Polk County. The total population is 899. It ranks as the 318th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elkhart is 32.9 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 29.5% of the population under 18, Elkhart has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elkhart is $84,554. This is 13% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 5% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $253,900. Housing costs are 22% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 81.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elkhart has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.6%.
Education
28.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 94.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elkhart, 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 Elkhart, Iowa?
Elkhart, Iowa has a population of 899 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elkhart, IA?
The median household income in Elkhart is $84,554, which is 5% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elkhart, IA?
The poverty rate in Elkhart is 11.7%. This means approximately 105 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elkhart, Iowa?
Elkhart's population is 89.5% White, 2.8% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elkhart, IA?
The median home value in Elkhart is $253,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Elkhart, Iowa?
28.1% of adults (25+) in Elkhart hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.