What are the schools like in Elwood, NE?

Elwood is served primarily by ELWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.0:1.

What is the median household income in Elwood?

The median household income in Elwood, NE is $62,917 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 3.8%.

What is the weather like in Elwood, NE?

Elwood has an average high temperature of 38.0°F in January and 86.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 23.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 25.3 inches.

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

Q: Is Elwood, NE affordable or expensive?

Elwood's cost of living index is 89, where 100 represents the national average. This means Elwood is 11% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $120,000 and the median rent is $782 per month.

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

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

Is Elwood, NE a Good Place to Live?

Elwood is a small town of 519 in Nebraska, with a median household income of $62,917 and a 3.8% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is 11% below the national average.

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

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

All Elwood 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: 89.2

Elwood's overall cost of living index is 89.2, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Elwood costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.

Metric	Elwood, NE	National Avg
Median Home Value	$120,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$782	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	68.2%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$62,917	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

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

Schools & Education

Elwood is served primarily by ELWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Elwood, NE	National Avg
School District	ELWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	9.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	19.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	91.1%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Elwood sees average highs of 38.0°F in January and 86.4°F in July, with 23.3 inches of annual precipitation and 25.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Elwood, NE
Average High — January	38.0°F
Average High — July	86.4°F
Annual Precipitation	23.3"
Annual Snowfall	25.3"

Demographics

Metric	Elwood, NE	National Avg
Population	519	—
Median Age	51.7	38.9
Unemployment Rate	3.8%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	21.3 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	95.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.7%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	13.1%	22.2%
65 and over	27.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Smithfield, NE 6 mi Eustis, NE 10 mi Bertrand, NE 13 mi Lexington, NE 14 mi Arapahoe, NE 20 mi

ZIP Codes in Elwood

Elwood, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code:

68937

Elwood vs Other Cities

Elwood, NE vs Smithfield, NE Elwood, NE vs Eustis, NE Elwood, NE vs Bertrand, NE Elwood, NE vs Lexington, NE Elwood, NE vs Arapahoe, NE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elwood, NE affordable or expensive?

Elwood's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average. That makes Elwood roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $120,000 and median rent is $782/month.

What is the crime rate in Elwood, NE?

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

What are the schools like in Elwood?

Public schools in Elwood are operated by ELWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.0:1. 19.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Elwood, NE a good place to live?

Elwood, NE has a population of 519, a median household income of $62,917, and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. 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 Elwood?

Elwood averages 38.0°F in January and 86.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 23.3 inches with about 25.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Elwood?

Elwood, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code: 68937.

What is the population of Elwood?

The population of Elwood, Nebraska is 519 with a median age of 51.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Elwood?

Key numbers for living in Elwood: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $120,000, median household income $62,917, crime index 1 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Elwood side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.