What are the schools like in Elba, NE?

Elba is served primarily by ELBA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 7.8:1.

What is the median household income in Elba?

The median household income in Elba, NE is $39,688 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 13.3%.

What is the weather like in Elba, NE?

Elba has an average high temperature of 35.4°F in January and 88.8°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 27.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 22.4 inches.

Elba, NE Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Elba, NE affordable or expensive?

Elba's cost of living index is 87, where 100 represents the national average. This means Elba is 13% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $85,000 and the median rent is $755 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Elba, NE?

Elba has a violent crime rate of 31.0 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 155.2 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Elba, NE a Good Place to Live?

Elba is a small town of 218 in Nebraska, with a median household income of $39,688 and a 13.3% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is 13% below the national average.

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

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Elba is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Elba 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: 87.3

Elba's overall cost of living index is 87.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Elba costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.

Metric	Elba, NE	National Avg
Median Home Value	$85,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$755	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	63.4%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$39,688	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Elba's violent crime rate is 31.0 per 100,000 residents — 92% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

31.0 /100k

Property Crime

155.2 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Elba is served primarily by ELBA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The student-to-teacher ratio is 7.8:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Elba, NE	National Avg
School District	ELBA PUBLIC SCHOOLS	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	7.8:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	4.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	85.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Elba sees average highs of 35.4°F in January and 88.8°F in July, with 27.3 inches of annual precipitation and 22.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Elba, NE
Average High — January	35.4°F
Average High — July	88.8°F
Annual Precipitation	27.3"
Annual Snowfall	22.4"

Demographics

Metric	Elba, NE	National Avg
Population	218	—
Median Age	45.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	13.3%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	20.4 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	87.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.9%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	6.0%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	19.7%	22.2%
65 and over	22.5%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Farwell, NE 6 mi Cotesfield, NE 6 mi St. Paul, NE 8 mi Cushing, NE 10 mi Dannebrog, NE 12 mi

Elba vs Other Cities

Elba, NE vs Farwell, NE Elba, NE vs Cotesfield, NE Elba, NE vs St. Paul, NE Elba, NE vs Cushing, NE Elba, NE vs Dannebrog, NE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elba, NE affordable or expensive?

Elba's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average. That makes Elba roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $85,000 and median rent is $755/month.

What is the crime rate in Elba, NE?

Elba's violent crime rate is 31.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 155.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Elba?

Public schools in Elba are operated by ELBA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 7.8:1. 4.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Elba, NE a good place to live?

Elba, NE has a population of 218, a median household income of $39,688, and an unemployment rate of 13.3%. 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 Elba?

Elba averages 35.4°F in January and 88.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 27.3 inches with about 22.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Elba?

The population of Elba, Nebraska is 218 with a median age of 45.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Elba?

Key numbers for living in Elba: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $85,000, median household income $39,688, crime index 8 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Elba side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.