Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Elma, WA Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

3,483

Median Agei

42.6

Race & Ethnicityi

White

79.4%2,767

Hispanic/Latino

16.3%569

Two or More

3.6%127

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.6%20

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

8.2%203

High School Diploma

23.9%589

Some College (<1 yr)

3.8%93

Some College (1+ yr)

16.8%416

Associate's Degree

5.8%142

Bachelor's Degree

17.3%426

Master's Degree

4.1%101

HS or Higher

79.8%

BA or Higher

21.3%

Graduate+

4.1%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$409,600

Median Renti

$984

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

66.7%830

Renter-Occupied

33.3%415

Total Units

1,371

Homeownership

66.7%

Vacancy Rate

9.2%

Home Values

Under $50K

2.2%18

$50K–$100K

2%17

$150K–$200K

5.5%46

$200K–$300K

10.5%87

$300K–$500K

53.6%445

$500K–$1M

22.5%187

$1M+

3.6%30

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$750–$1,000

191

$1,000–$1,250

124

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

1.5%20

2010–2019

9.7%133

2000–2009

3.9%53

1990–1999

8.7%119

1980–1989

8.9%122

1970–1979

15.9%218

1960–1969

12.1%166

1950–1959

13.6%187

1940–1949

8.1%111

1939 or earlier

17.7%242

Heating Fuel

Electricity

68%846

Utility Gas

14.9%186

Wood

6.8%85

Fuel Oil

6%75

Other

2.9%36

Bottled/LP Gas

0.8%10

No Fuel

0.6%7

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$78,086

Mean Household Incomei

$92,726

Per Capita Incomei

$34,165

Poverty Ratei

24.9%

Unemploymenti

3.5%

Labor Forcei

1,607

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

3.2%40

$10K–$15K

10.8%135

$15K–$20K

1%12

$20K–$25K

3.2%40

$25K–$30K

0.5%6

$30K–$35K

1.2%15

$35K–$40K

0.6%8

$40K–$45K

4.3%53

$45K–$50K

6%75

$50K–$60K

2.8%35

$60K–$75K

14.9%185

$75K–$100K

19.2%239

$100K–$125K

5.4%67

$125K–$150K

13.1%163

$150K–$200K

8.7%108

$200K+

5.1%64

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

2096%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

196

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

1,518

Avg. Commutei

30.9 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

1,550

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

237(8.6% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

91.6%Insured

8.4%Uninsured