What are the schools like in Elk Horn, IA?

Elk Horn is served primarily by Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Comm School District. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.6:1.

What is the median household income in Elk Horn?

The median household income in Elk Horn, IA is $59,306 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 4.1%.

What is the weather like in Elk Horn, IA?

Elk Horn has an average high temperature of 28.0°F in January and 82.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 35.1 inches and annual snowfall averages 27.3 inches.

Elk Horn, IA Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Elk Horn, IA affordable or expensive?

Elk Horn's cost of living index is 87, where 100 represents the national average. This means Elk Horn is 13% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $120,400 and the median rent is $600 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Elk Horn, IA?

Crime rate data for Elk Horn is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Elk Horn, IA a Good Place to Live?

Elk Horn is a small town of 544 in Iowa, with a median household income of $59,306 and a 4.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is 13% below the national average.

Strengths: Elk Horn stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Elk Horn is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Elk Horn city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 87.1

Elk Horn's overall cost of living index is 87.1, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Elk Horn costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.

Metric	Elk Horn, IA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$120,400	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$600	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	81.3%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$59,306	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Elk Horn is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Elk Horn is served primarily by Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Comm School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.6:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Elk Horn, IA	National Avg
School District	Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Comm School District	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.6:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	23.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	94.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Elk Horn sees average highs of 28.0°F in January and 82.6°F in July, with 35.1 inches of annual precipitation and 27.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Elk Horn, IA
Average High — January	28.0°F
Average High — July	82.6°F
Annual Precipitation	35.1"
Annual Snowfall	27.3"

Demographics

Metric	Elk Horn, IA	National Avg
Population	544	—
Median Age	49.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	4.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	23.5 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	90.4%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	7.5%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	21.0%	22.2%
65 and over	34.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Kimballton, IA 2 mi Jacksonville, IA 6 mi Brayton, IA 8 mi Exira, IA 9 mi Marne, IA 10 mi

ZIP Codes in Elk Horn

Elk Horn, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code:

51531

Elk Horn vs Other Cities

Elk Horn, IA vs Kimballton, IA Elk Horn, IA vs Jacksonville, IA Elk Horn, IA vs Brayton, IA Elk Horn, IA vs Exira, IA Elk Horn, IA vs Marne, IA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elk Horn, IA affordable or expensive?

Elk Horn's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average. That makes Elk Horn roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $120,400 and median rent is $600/month.

What is the crime rate in Elk Horn, IA?

Crime data for Elk Horn is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Elk Horn?

Public schools in Elk Horn are operated by Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Comm School District. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.6:1. 23.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Elk Horn, IA a good place to live?

Elk Horn, IA has a population of 544, a median household income of $59,306, and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Elk Horn?

Elk Horn averages 28.0°F in January and 82.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 35.1 inches with about 27.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Elk Horn?

Elk Horn, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 51531.

What is the population of Elk Horn?

The population of Elk Horn, Iowa is 544 with a median age of 49.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Elk Horn?

Key numbers for living in Elk Horn: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $120,400, median household income $59,306, schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Elk Horn side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.