Elkhart Lake is a small town of 1,170 in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $82,045
and a 9.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Elkhart Lake stands out for an affordable cost of living, solid school ratings (A), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Elkhart Lake is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Elkhart Lake 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: 90.8
Elkhart Lake's overall cost of living index is 90.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Elkhart Lake costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Elkhart Lake, WI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$266,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,070
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
67.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$82,045
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Elkhart Lake's violent crime rate is 221.1 per 100,000 residents
— 42% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
221.1 /100k
Property Crime
1033.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Elkhart Lake is served primarily by Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Elkhart Lake, WI
National Avg
School District
Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah School District
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
48.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
98.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Elkhart Lake sees average highs of 26.3°F in January
and 80.9°F in July,
with 33.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 44.7 inches of snow per year.
Elkhart Lake's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Elkhart Lake roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $266,000 and median rent is $1,070/month.
Elkhart Lake's violent crime rate is 221.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1033.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Elkhart Lake are operated by Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah School District.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1. 48.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Elkhart Lake, WI has a population of 1,170, a median household income of $82,045, and an unemployment rate of 9.1%.
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.
Elkhart Lake averages 26.3°F in January and 80.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 33.6 inches
with about 44.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Elkhart Lake, WI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 53020.
The population of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin is 1,170 with a median age of 53.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Elkhart Lake: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $266,000, median household income $82,045, crime index 55 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Elkhart Lake side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
