Elma, Washington

City in Washington, United States

Elma, Washington

City

City hall

Location of Elma, Washington

Coordinates: 47°0′20″N 123°24′23″W﻿ / ﻿47.00556°N 123.40639°W﻿ / 47.00556; -123.40639
Country| United States
State| Washington
County| Grays Harbor
Settled| 1853
Incorporated| March 22, 1888
Area

[1]

• Total

| 2.58 sq mi (6.69 km2)
• Land| 2.55 sq mi (6.60 km2)
• Water| 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation

| 49 ft (15 m)
Population

(2020)[2]

• Total

| 3,438

• Estimate

(2022)[3]

| 3,469
• Density| 1,314.12/sq mi (507.40/km2)
Time zone| UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)| UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code|

98541

Area code| 360
FIPS code| 53-21450
GNIS feature ID| 1512188[4]
Website| cityofelma.com

Elma is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,438 at the 2020 census.[2]

## History

[edit]

First settled in 1853 by D.F. Byles, Elma was later named for Union soldier Elmer Brown.[5] The city of Elma was incorporated on March 22, 1888.[6]

## Geography

[edit]

Elma is located at 47°0′20″N 123°24′23″W﻿ / ﻿47.00556°N 123.40639°W﻿ / 47.00556; -123.40639 (47.005648, -123.406268).[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.92 square miles (4.97 km2), of which, 1.89 square miles (4.90 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) is water.[8]

### Climate

[edit]

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Elma has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps. Summers are warm and dry, while winters are cool and very wet. Some form of precipitation occurs on half of all days on average.[9]

Climate data for Elma, Washington, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1940–present

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °F (°C)  | 65
(18)  | 73
(23)  | 80
(27)  | 91
(33)  | 99
(37)  | 110
(43)  | 105
(41)  | 103
(39)  | 100
(38)  | 91
(33)  | 74
(23)  | 65
(18)  | 110
(43)
Mean maximum °F (°C)  | 57.4
(14.1)  | 61.8
(16.6)  | 69.7
(20.9)  | 77.3
(25.2)  | 85.4
(29.7)  | 89.5
(31.9)  | 94.3
(34.6)  | 94.3
(34.6)  | 88.7
(31.5)  | 77.1
(25.1)  | 62.4
(16.9)  | 56.3
(13.5)  | 97.8
(36.6)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 48.6
(9.2)  | 51.9
(11.1)  | 56.4
(13.6)  | 61.8
(16.6)  | 68.3
(20.2)  | 72.4
(22.4)  | 78.4
(25.8)  | 79.5
(26.4)  | 75.1
(23.9)  | 63.7
(17.6)  | 53.0
(11.7)  | 47.4
(8.6)  | 63.0
(17.3)
Daily mean °F (°C)  | 41.6
(5.3)  | 42.9
(6.1)  | 46.3
(7.9)  | 50.4
(10.2)  | 56.3
(13.5)  | 60.3
(15.7)  | 65.1
(18.4)  | 65.5
(18.6)  | 61.4
(16.3)  | 52.6
(11.4)  | 44.7
(7.1)  | 40.6
(4.8)  | 52.3
(11.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 34.6
(1.4)  | 33.9
(1.1)  | 36.2
(2.3)  | 39.1
(3.9)  | 44.3
(6.8)  | 48.3
(9.1)  | 51.7
(10.9)  | 51.6
(10.9)  | 47.7
(8.7)  | 41.4
(5.2)  | 36.5
(2.5)  | 33.8
(1.0)  | 41.6
(5.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C)  | 21.3
(−5.9)  | 21.5
(−5.8)  | 24.9
(−3.9)  | 27.7
(−2.4)  | 31.9
(−0.1)  | 37.9
(3.3)  | 41.5
(5.3)  | 41.7
(5.4)  | 35.7
(2.1)  | 27.6
(−2.4)  | 22.7
(−5.2)  | 20.7
(−6.3)  | 15.7
(−9.1)
Record low °F (°C)  | 0
(−18)  | 4
(−16)  | 15
(−9)  | 22
(−6)  | 25
(−4)  | 31
(−1)  | 37
(3)  | 33
(1)  | 28
(−2)  | 15
(−9)  | 4
(−16)  | 2
(−17)  | 0
(−18)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 11.13
(283)  | 7.04
(179)  | 8.16
(207)  | 5.36
(136)  | 3.29
(84)  | 2.18
(55)  | 0.79
(20)  | 1.43
(36)  | 2.67
(68)  | 7.23
(184)  | 11.39
(289)  | 11.37
(289)  | 72.04
(1,830)
Average snowfall inches (cm)  | 0.9
(2.3)  | 0.5
(1.3)  | 0.1
(0.25)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.2
(0.51)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 1.7
(4.36)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 22.7  | 19.1  | 21.6  | 19.7  | 13.7  | 11.3  | 5.2  | 7.3  | 10.4  | 18.6  | 23.3  | 23.3  | 196.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.5  | 0.1  | 0.1  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.2  | 0.0  | 0.9
Source 1: NOAA[10]
Source 2: National Weather Service[11]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1890| 345| | —
1900| 894| | 159.1%
1910| 1,532| | 71.4%
1920| 1,253| | −18.2%
1930| 1,545| | 23.3%
1940| 1,370| | −11.3%
1950| 1,543| | 12.6%
1960| 1,811| | 17.4%
1970| 2,227| | 23.0%
1980| 2,720| | 22.1%
1990| 3,011| | 10.7%
2000| 3,049| | 1.3%
2010| 3,107| | 1.9%
2020| 3,438| | 10.7%
2022 (est.)| 3,469| [3]| 0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
2020 Census[2]

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 3,107 people, 1,209 households, and 788 families living in the city. The population density was 1,643.9 inhabitants per square mile (634.7/km2). There were 1,307 housing units at an average density of 691.5 per square mile (267.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.8% White, 1.0% African American, 2.6% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 3.2% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.6% of the population.

There were 1,209 households, of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.8% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 36.1 years. 25.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 12.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census, there were 3,049 people, 1,195 households, and 764 families living in the city. The population density was 1,812.6 people per square mile (700.7/km2). There were 1,330 housing units at an average density of 790.7 per square mile (305.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.98% White, 0.59% African American, 1.31% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.26% Pacific Islander, 1.64% from other races, and 3.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.64% of the population.

There were 1,195 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,031, and the median income for a family was $36,638. Males had a median income of $38,929 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,629. About 13.9% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

[edit]

The Elma School District has four schools. Elma Elementary School serves children in an Early Childhood Program, as well as kindergarten through 5th grade. Elma Middle School consists of 6th grade through 8th grade students; Elma High School houses 9th through 12th grade, and the East Grays Harbor High School provides alternative education. The mascot for Elma High School and Middle School is an eagle. Their colors are blue and white. The mascot for East Grays Harbor High School is a gryphon. Their colors are black and turquoise.

Elma High School participates in the Running Start program, through which students in grades 11 and 12 may take college level classes for college credit via Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, and Washington State University.

Early childhood development programs include several daycares, a co-op preschool, and a Head Start facility.

## Infrastructure

[edit]

The Elma Municipal Airport (WN65) is located south of the downtown district across U.S. Route 12 (US 12). The airfield contains one runway. In the 1970s, the airport was the site of a fixed-base flight operation, but has since been privately owned.[13][14]

## Notable people

[edit]

* Kyle Basler, won nine letters at Elma High School as a standout in football, basketball and baseball, winning Class 2A state championships in football and basketball during the 1997-1998 school year. He then went on to Washington State University where he was their first-team punter for four seasons. In 2006 he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns of the NFL. He was the punter for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europa during the 2007 season.
* Jamie Craighead, 1998 Washington state Class 2A Women's High School Player of the Year. She then had a fine career at the University of Oregon, helping them win the 2002 Women's National Invitation Tournament. She has also been the head coach of the Sacramento State (2009-2013) and San Jose State (2014-2022) Women's basketball programs.
* Rod "the Rifle" Derline, basketball player. Led Elma High School to the 1970 Class A state championship game. He then had a fine career at Seattle University and was inducted into their basketball hall of fame in 2006. He was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 10th round (169th overall) in the 1974 NBA Draft and, despite long odds, played for the Sonics during the 1974-1975 and 1975-1976 seasons.
* Lloyd Jones, Alaskan state senator[15]
* Bud Ward, golfer[16]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
2. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
3. ^ a b "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
4. ^ "Elma". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
5. ^ Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 68\. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6.
6. ^ "City of Elma, WA".
7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
8. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
9. ^ Climate Summary for Elma, Washington
10. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Elma, WA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
11. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Seattle". National Weather Service. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
13. ^ "From Cascades to Pacific, airports adapting to changing needs". The Daily Chronicle. December 3, 1977. p. W6. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
14. ^ "Elma Airport". AirNav.com. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
15. ^ Alaska Legislature-LLoyd Jones
16. ^ Golf Legend. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2012.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Elma, Washington.

* City of Elma

* v
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Municipalities and communities of Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States

County seat: Montesano

Cities|

* Aberdeen
* Cosmopolis
* Elma
* Hoquiam
* McCleary
* Montesano
* Oakville
* Ocean Shores
* Westport

Map of Washington highlighting Grays Harbor County

CDPs|

* Aberdeen Gardens
* Amanda Park
* Brady
* Central Park
* Cohassett Beach
* Copalis Beach
* Grayland
* Hogans Corner
* Humptulips
* Junction City
* Malone
* Markham
* Moclips
* Neilton
* Ocean City
* Ocosta
* Oyehut
* Pacific Beach
* Porter
* Queets‡
* Qui-nai-elt Village
* Santiago
* Satsop
* Taholah

Other
communities|

* Aloha
* Artic
* Axford
* Bay City
* Chehalis Village
* Copalis Crossing
* Newton
* Nisson
* Quinault
* Seabrook
* Sine
* Vesta
* Whites

Indian reservations|

* Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation‡
* Quinault Indian Reservation‡

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* Washington portal
* United States portal

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

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