Elma, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elma, Washington had a total population of 3,483, the 237th largest city in Washington, with a median household income of $78,086, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Elma Quick Facts
How Elma 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 | 3,452 | 3,483 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $66,194 | $78,086 | +18.0% |
| Median home value | $379,200 | $409,600 | +8.0% |
How Elma 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: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elma Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Grays Harbor County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 17,088 | $52,195 | 23.8% | $237,300 |
| Hoquiam | 8,800 | $49,795 | 17.2% | $228,200 |
| Ocean Shores | 7,302 | $58,202 | 12.3% | $383,500 |
| Montesano | 4,183 | $67,540 | 4.9% | $354,300 |
| Central Park | 3,206 | $99,127 | 6.4% | $335,500 |
| Westport | 2,217 | $64,750 | 7.3% | $196,600 |
| Cosmopolis | 2,202 | $84,853 | 10.3% | $317,000 |
| McCleary | 2,094 | $77,813 | 10.4% | $351,700 |
| Oakville | 878 | $63,893 | 19.4% | $230,800 |
| Taholah | 833 | $45,114 | 34.7% | $101,300 |
Cities Similar to Elma
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marietta-Alderwood | 3,754 | $76,019 | $547,100 | 33.9% | 7.9% |
| Grand Mound | 3,287 | $72,426 | $411,400 | 21.6% | 7.3% |
| Hansville | 3,384 | $92,426 | $597,000 | 46.8% | 4.1% |
| Algona | 3,247 | $85,332 | $441,500 | 16.1% | 12.1% |
| Burbank | 3,589 | $93,158 | $412,900 | 21.1% | 14.5% |
Population Overview
Elma is a small community located in Washington, within Grays Harbor County. The total population is 3,483. It ranks as the 237th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elma is 42.6 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elma is $78,086. This is 20% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 152% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $409,600. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 66.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elma is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.3%.
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elma, Washington 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 Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 628 Census-designated places in Washington. 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 Elma, Washington?
Elma, Washington has a population of 3,483 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elma, WA?
The median household income in Elma is $78,086, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elma, WA?
The poverty rate in Elma is 24.9%. This means approximately 868 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elma, Washington?
Elma's population is 79.4% White, 0.0% Black, 16.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elma, WA?
The median home value in Elma is $409,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Elma, Washington?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Elma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.