$432,762Average Value$280Average Price per Sq Ft27Homes For Sale
Elma is a small town located 30 miles from Olympia
Elma, known as the Gateway to Grays Harbor County, gives retirees and state capital workers access to Olympia without compromising on rural, small-town charm. “I grew up there. It's right outside the city, and it has a more country feel,” says Elma Native and broker Kristi Christensen, who works with Better Properties Grays Harbor. The community’s timber industry and agriculture have endured, allowing the population to grow to approximately 3,500. The area’s retail has also grown recently, delighting locals without overdeveloping the pine-laden forests and farmland that Elma is known for.
Some of Elma's newest housing stock is located on the edge of town with views of the city.
Near Elma, Capitol State Forest is massive and supports a bulk of the region's timber economy.
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Local shops and restaurants in downtown Elma
Downtown Elma is a walkable commercial district in the middle of the community, offering dining options from the family-owned brunch spot Joey‘s Crepes & More to the authentic Mexican stop Tacos El Huatusi. Rusty Tractor Restaurant, a diner with a rustic feel on the east side of town, is one of the more popular spots. The local shops include the board game store Game Freaks as well as OddDuck Books, a bookstore featuring vinyl and antiques. On the south side of Elma, East County Thriftway provides grocery shopping. The town continues to expand, with chain stores and fast food. “Elma is growing; we just got Grocery Outlet, Burger King and O'Reilly Auto Parts,” Christensen says.
Elma residents enjoy Joey's Crepes & More for savory and sweet treats around brunch time.
The Rusty Tractor attracts a busy lunch crowd in Elma with its rustic feel and American fare.
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Bungalows, ranch-style homes and contemporary houses in Elma
Surrounding downtown, Elma has grid-style blocks of houses from the early 1900s. Many of them are bungalows, ranging from $250,000 to $300,000. The community expands into meandering streets and subdivisions of midcentury ranch-style homes, which range from $350,000 to $750,000. Contemporary homes on the outskirts of town are priced similarly. Undeveloped land ranges from $50,000 for an acre to $350,000 for 7 acres. “The prices of houses and taxes are lower compared to Thurston and Pierce Counties,” Christensen says. The median sales price in Elma is $420,000, lower than the nearby Thurston County town of Rochester’s median of $520,000. Elma’s market can be competitive, with homes staying on the market for 38 days on average, compared to the national average of 48 days. But it depends on the season. “Usually, it always picks up in the spring and summer and slows down in fall and winter,” Christensen says.
Midcentury ranch-style homes are plentiful in Elma, with many enjoying fenced in yards.
Bungalows are common in Elma, and many are reasonably priced in comparison to nearby counties.
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Elma Elementary, Elma Middle and Elma High
On Niche, Elma Elementary School, Elma Middle School and Elma High School all have B-minus ratings. The high school’s course selection ranges from personal finance to forensic science. Overall, the Elma School District gets a B-minus from Niche.
Elma Middle School serves the area's students studying from 6th through 8th grades.
Elma High School has a variety of courses such as forensic science for students to pursue.
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Outdoor recreation, from Vance Creek County Park to Capitol State Forest
Vance Creek County Park, on Elma’s south end, offers two ponds with swimming beaches and more. “One of the main things is fishing,” Christensen says. “There are walking paths around both ponds, a nice new playground that was just donated and covered picnic areas.” The recreation space also has a dog park with sections for small and large pets. On the north side of Elma, Lloyd Murrey Park provides ballfields and a playground. About 10 miles southeast of Elma, Capitol State Forest’s most popular activities are hiking, mountain biking and off-roading in the Black Hills range.
At Vance Creek County Park, it's common for Elma residents to enjoy fishing on sunny afternoons.
Lloyd Murrey Park has ballfields equipped with goals and nets for Elma residents to enjoy.
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Events, including Grays Harbor County Fair and the Fall Festival
Elma hosts the annual Grays Harbor County Fair, the largest event in the region. The four-day celebration lasts from late July to early August. “The kids all love the rides. There are a lot of animal and livestock auctions, and then they’ll do different agricultural displays,” Christensen says. The adjacent Grays Harbor Raceway has sprint car races and a fireworks display on July Fourth. On Halloween, the Fall Festival in downtown Elma includes a costume contest and trick-or-treating.
The Grays Harbor County Fair takes place in Elma and has plenty to check out over its four days.
The Grays Harbor Raceway is a 3/8-mile oval track in Elma that hosts races occasionally.
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A 30-mile drive to Olympia and 20 miles to Aberdeen
Via state Route 8, Elma is located about 30 miles from Olympia, so many of the town’s residents commute to the state capital. It’s about 20 miles away from Aberdeen via state Route 12. The Grays Harbor Transit bus system serves the area, with the Elma Transit Center just west of downtown. For commercial flights, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is about 80 miles away.
The Elma Transit Center gets residents around the area via the Grays Harbor Transit bus system.
Elma residents can travel around the world by heading to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
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Written By
Anna Anderson
Photography Contributed By
Landon Gauthier
Video By
Bill Jennings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jason Munoz,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Elma, WA sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Elma, WA over the last 12 months is $424,950, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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