Town in Anderson County

Living in Elkhart, TX

D

575th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 23 of 100

We give Elkhart a D. It ranks 575th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on jobs and income and getting around.

  • Affordable
  • Jobs and income scores low (5 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (7 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Elkhart isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthElkhart
Where Elkhart is in Texas.
Population
1,265-2.2% since 2020
Median rent
$75646% lower than Texas
Median home value
$107,30062% lower than Texas
Household income
$52,891Median
Average commute
30 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Elkhart

Elkhart is a town in Anderson County. 1,265 people lived here in 2025, down 2.2% from 2020. It is spread out.

The median age is 37.1, 35% of households have children, 65% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $52,891 a year (33% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Elkhart

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $756, 46% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.0 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Elkhart

  • Higher unemployment. 17% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Higher poverty. 28% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.

Who Elkhart suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 33% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 49% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 33% lower than the Texas median, with 7 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 6% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 88% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $756 is 46% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 65% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $756 is 46% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 69% for people on a budget.

Elkhart report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Elkhart with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade B+

    Median rent $756, homes cost 2.0x income.

    80 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade F

    Median household income $52,891, 17% unemployed.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C

    3 rated campuses, 33% rated A or B.

    43 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    0 grocery stores, 7 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 30 min, 9.7% work from home.

    7 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D-

    8.8% have a bachelor’s degree.

    10 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    13% of adults uninsured.

    28 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C-

    65% of homes owner-occupied.

    37 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C-

    88% of homes have broadband.

    37 of 100 vs US towns

Where Elkhart stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $75646% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 2.0x44% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 13%7 points lower than Texas (20%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.8%25 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • People below the poverty line: 28%14 points higher than Texas (14%)
  • Median household income: $52,89133% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Elkhart

Elkhart renters pay a median of $756 a month, 46% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $30,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 50% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $945 for a one-bedroom, $1,201 for a two-bedroom and $1,431 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $107,300, 62% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $587 before tax, or $669 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Elkhart pays $983 a year, 77% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in ElkhartStudio$9391 bedroom$9452 bedrooms$1,2013 bedrooms$1,4314 bedrooms$1,750
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Anderson County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent46% lower than Texas$756$1,403$1,413
Median home value62% lower than Texas$107,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income44% lower than Texas2.0x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent1 points lower than Texas50%52%51%
Median property tax per year77% lower than Texas$983$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them3 points higher than Texas65%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197419921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$669
Mortgage payment
$587
Property tax
$82
Median rent, for comparison
$756

Based on a $107,300 home in Elkhart, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Schools in Elkhart

Elkhart has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 33% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Elkhart ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
43
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
79
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • BElkhart MiddleMiddle, Elkhart ISD85 of 100
  • CElkhart ElementaryElementary, Elkhart ISD76 of 100
  • CElkhart IntermediateElementary, Elkhart ISD76 of 100

Daily life in Elkhart

Everyday places mapped inside Elkhart, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 30 minutes, 12% longer than the Texas average. 10% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Palestine is about 10 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Elkhart work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $52,891, income per person is $21,988, unemployment is 17% and 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
7
Cafes
1
Bars
0
Parks
0
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income33% lower than Texas$52,891$78,476$80,734
Income per person46% lower than Texas$21,988$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate12 points higher than Texas17%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line14 points higher than Texas28%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher25 points lower than Texas8.8%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher1 points lower than Texas85%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance7 points lower than Texas13%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet4 points lower than Texas88%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute12% higher than Texas30 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home5 points lower than Texas9.7%14%15%
Workers who work from home9.7%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Elkhart

Under 1824%
18 to 3424%
35 to 6434%
65 and over17%

Median age 37.1 years. 35% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White68%
Hispanic or Latino11%
Black14%
Asian3.2%
Other or more than one race3.8%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Elkhart

Elkhart has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 35°F. There are about 87 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 47 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Elkhart30°50°70°90°59J63F70M77A84M90J94J95A89S80O68N60DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Palestine 2 Ne, 10 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

    Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

    Places near Elkhart

    Nearby, Palestine gets an F, Grapeland gets a D- and Crockett gets an F. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. FPalestineSmall city, 19,136 people9 mi
    2. D-GrapelandTown, 1,595 people11 mi
    3. FCrockettTown, 6,364 people23 mi
    4. C+RuskTown, 5,477 people27 mi
    5. DJacksonvilleSmall city, 14,325 people29 mi
    6. BFrankstonTown, 1,088 people29 mi

    Living in Elkhart: common questions

    Is Elkhart, TX a good place to live?

    We give Elkhart a D. It ranks 575th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and schools, and trails on jobs and income and getting around.

    How much does it cost to live in Elkhart?

    Renters in Elkhart pay a median of $756 a month, 46% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $107,300, 62% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.0x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $669, including property tax.

    Are the schools good in Elkhart?

    We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Elkhart. 33% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 43 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Elkhart?

    Summers in Elkhart peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 35°F. Expect around 87 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 47 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Elkhart?

    The average one-way commute is 30 min, 12% higher than the Texas average. About 9.7% of workers work from home. It is about 10 miles from downtown Palestine.

    Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.