Searching for the perfect small town in the Pacific Northwest? You may want to think about moving to Elma. The city of Elma, Washington is situated west of Olympia and is known for its natural beauty and friendly residents. The first residents were D.F. Byles and his family, who settled in the area in 1853. It’s named after Union soldier Elmer Brown. It was officially incorporated in 1888.
These days, Elma is a great place to live for families and anyone seeking a peaceful area with an abundance of outdoor recreation. So, if you’re curious about what living in Elma WA is really like, here’s what you should know.
Where Is Elma WA?
The city of Elma Washington is in Grays Harbor County Washington, within the Chehalis River Valley. The Chehalis River passes through the area just south of Elma. It’s situated at the intersection of US Route 12 and Washington State Route 8, providing residents living in Elma WA easy access to nearby cities and the ocean shores of the Pacific Coast. Other towns nearby include Satsop, Fuller, Brady, Saginaw, and Greenwood.
It’s about 30 miles or a 33-minute drive from Elma to Olympia and about 90 miles or a 2-hour drive to Seattle.
Elma Population & Demographics
The Elma population is 3,438. It has a very spacious, rural atmosphere and a population density of 1,239. The Elma, WA population has been growing steadily over the years and increased by 10.7% between 2010 and 2020.
Due to its peaceful atmosphere, most people living in Elma WA are families and retirees. The median age is 40.7 years old; 19% of residents living in Elma WA are over 65, and 23% are under 18. Married couples make up 57% of households.
Other Elma Demographics:
- The median household income is $64,808, which is 25% lower than the rest of Washington
- 54% of people living in Elma WA are men, and 46% are women
- 82.4% of the Elma Washington population have a high school diploma, and 19.1% have a bachelor’s degree
- The foreign-born population is 3.3%
Living in Elma WA is very safe. The total crime rate is 2,223 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 40.4% lower than the Washington crime rate and 4.4% lower than the rest of the state. Violent crime is 54.5% lower than the rest of the state and 53.8% lower than the rest of the country. Although property crime is 38.9% lower than the rest of the country but 5% higher than the rest of the US.
The Elma Police Department handles crime in the city with the help of nine law enforcement employees, including seven officers and two civilians.
Cost of Living in Elma
The cost of living in Elma WA is very reasonable, considering all the city offers. A great way to understand how much it costs to live in an area is to reference the cost of living index. It compares the prices of normal consumer goods to the national average, which is represented by 100.
The COLI for the Olympia area is 115, indicating that living in Elma WA is about 15% more expensive than the rest of the US. Although, the low cost of Elma real estate makes it even more affordable than that.
The Family Budget Calculator developed by the Economic Policy Institute indicates that the typical family of four with two adults and two kids needs to have an income of $98,265 to afford the cost of living in Elma WA.
Typical Expenses When Living in Elma
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $18.00
- Cappuccino: $4.74
- 12 oz bottle of water: $1.92
- 1 gallon of milk: $4.03
- 1 dozen eggs: $3.41
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $4.03
- 1 pound of chicken fillets: $4.40
- Average monthly utility bill in Elma: $161.38
Source: Numbeo
*numbers reflect the Olympia area but will be similar in Elma.
The Elma WA real estate market is quite affordable for the high quality of life residents enjoy. Redfin indicates that the median price of homes for sale in Elma WA, is $392,500, which is 38% lower than the rest of Washington.
Renters moving to Elma will have plenty of options. About 64% of residents living in Elma WA own a home, while 36% are owner-occupied. So, you’ll find a range of places for rent in Elma, WA. The average rent is around $1650, and it starts at $750 per month for a studio and goes up to $1750 for a two-bedroom.
Elma Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Elma
Elma is a small city that only covers about 2.5 square miles. As a result, it doesn’t have many well-defined neighborhoods. However, living in Elma WA offers affordable real estate in tight-knit communities regardless of where you choose to settle down. Capitol Elk Ridge is one popular area known for its calm rural atmosphere and fantastic views. In general, the most desirable areas tend to be in the southeast, while the most affordable are in the north.
Elma WA Weather & Climate
Elma has a fairly mild climate typical of the Pacific Northwest. According to the Koppen Classification System, it has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate characterized by wet winters and dry summers.
The temperature usually stays between 36° and 75°F, although it can get as cold as 26°F in the winter and as hot as 85°F in the summer. The best time to visit an acquaintance living in Elma WA is July or August.
Be ready for precipitation. Elma averages 74 inches of rain and 3 inches of snow per year. So, if you plan on moving to Elma, you may want to bring an umbrella.
Things to Do in Elma
Regardless of your interests, you will find an interesting selection of fun things to do in Elma, WA. Most of the shopping is around Main Street, where you’ll find local businesses and Elma WA grocery stores like Elma Farm Stand, Grocery Outlet, and OddDuck Books. Here are a few other things to do in Elma, Washington.
Schafer State Park
Schafer State Park is a public recreation area on the Satsop River that is excellent for outdoor enthusiasts living in Elma who enjoy camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and other activities.
1365 W Schafer Park Rd, Elma, WA 98541 (360) 482-3852
Grays Harbor Raceway
Racing fans living in Elma WA should stop by Grays Harbor Raceway. This 3/8-mile race track hosts stock car races and other events, has concession stands, and hosts the occasional fireworks display.
Pavillion, 32 Elma McCleary Rd, Elma, WA 98541 (360) 482-4374
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Elma Paintball
Elma Paintball is a popular destination for birthday parties, graduation events, bachelor parties and other special events with dynamic terrain and affordable equipment rentals.
20 S. Union Road, Elma, WA 98541 (866) 525-2877
Additional Elma Attractions
The Elma Parks Division has resources available on its website if you’re looking for more fun things to do in Elma.
Elma Restaurants
Although not a major culinary destination, you will find a solid selection of delicious restaurants in Elma, WA, serving comfort food, craft beers, and more. Here are a few of the best places to eat in Elma.
ShuJacks Bar & Grill
ShuJacks Bar and Grill is one of the best local Elma Washington restaurants with classic bar food and cocktails, plus bar games and other fun events.
326 W Main St, Elma, WA 98541 (360) 482-1276
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Joey’s Crepes and More
Joey’s Crepes and More is a fantastic Elma WA restaurant with a large menu of sweet and savory crepes, plus coffee and other breakfast foods.
101 S 3rd St, Elma, WA 98541 (360) 861-8665
Tuggs and Chuggs
Tuggs and Chuggs is a beer hall that’s popular among locals living in Elma WA, with nachos, pizza, and other classic entrees. It also has an outdoor patio and regularly hosts live music performances.
13443 W Cloquallum Rd, Elma, WA 98541 (360) 482-2627
Jobs in Elma WA
Residents moving to Elma will enjoy a strong local economy with job opportunities available in a variety of exciting fields. Elma is considered the commercial center of Grays Harbor County, which is primarily supported by the timber and agriculture industries.
It’s also home to the Satsop Development Park, which houses many notable local businesses offering jobs in Elma, WA, in industries ranging from information technology to advanced manufacturing.
Most residents living in Elma WA are employed in office and administrative support roles, management positions, or farming, fishing, and forestry occupations. It’s also just a short drive to the state capital of Olympia for career opportunities in government.
Top employers in Grays Harbor County:
- Harbor Regional Health
- Stafford Creek Corrections Center
- Aberdeen School District
- Quinault Indian Nation
- Grays Harbor County
Data from Payscale indicates the average hourly rate for a worker living in Elma WA is $22.39 per hour. From dental assistant to doctor of optometry, you’ll discover an interesting selection of Elma jobs available. You can also find plenty of city of Elma, WA jobs, with the local government.
Elma Schools
The Elma School District consists of four schools. Elma Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade and also has an early childhood program. It’s a generally well-respected school that ranks #375 in the state of Washington with a 16:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Elma Middle School handles grades six through eight, while Elma High School covers nine through twelve. Elma High School is one of the best high schools in the area and features a graduation rate of 91%. It also participates in the Running Start Program, which allows students in grades 11 and 12 to take college level classes and earn credits that can be applied to Grays Harbor Community College or Washington State University.
Residents living in Elma also have the ability to attend the Elma branch of the Timberland Public Library to take out books and other media.
Elma Statistics & Information
- County: Grays Harbor
- Elma area: 2.58 square miles
- Elma zip code: 98541
- Elma area code(s): 360
- Elma elevation: 49 ft
- Elma time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC-7 and UTC – 8)
- The closest airport to Elma: The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is 80 miles away.
Elma WA Map
Explore more exciting activities, attractions, and fun things to do in the Elma WA zip code with this map.
Planning on Moving to Elma?
Looking to settle down in this beautiful small town and see for yourself all the benefits of living in Elma WA? Trust the reliable Elma, WA movers at All Ready Moving & Storage to make your next move easy and stress-free. Call (360) 507-2447 today for a free quote.
