Most working residents leave Elba for work: only 3% work in town. The top destinations are Ithaca (9%), Alma (8%) and St. Louis (6%). Half commute less than 21 miles.

Ithaca

Alma

St. Louis

St. Johns

3%Work in townlive and work in Elba 21 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 164Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2021 · ACSWork & commute in Elba →

Health in Elba

C⁻

Health Grade C−

Healthier than 23% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 48% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Michigan

11worse than MI

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 21 are too close to call.

Conditions 7▼ 5 close Habits 1▼ 3 close Care 1▼ 6 close Mind 2▼ 3 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

15.5%More older adults who have lost all their teethMI 10.2% · worse 11%More adults with COPDMI 8.1% · worse 9.2%More adults with heart diseaseMI 7% · worse

Care nearby

University of Michigan Health- Sparrow ClintonSaint Johns · 13.4 mi · ER · rural critical access

Great Lakes Bay Health Centers Integrated Care ShiawasseeOwosso · 18.5 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 48807, 48806, 48831 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Elba →

Natural hazards in Elba

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 61% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes💨 Strong wind

1Does Elba flood?paid flood claims since 2013 NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 10 declared for Gratiot County MapElba vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Elba →

Climate in Elba

Full climate →

Elba has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 16°, and about 38 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

33° / 19°Winter

57° / 36°Spring

81° / 59°Summer

60° / 41°Fall

How much snow does Elba get?About 38 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 24, with the last in spring around Apr 28.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.5° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Elba →

Schools in Elba

All Elba schools →

B⁺

School Grade B+

The public schools Elba’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 69% of Michigan’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictAshley Community SchoolsSchools3

Ashley Elementary School A-Elementary · Grades PK–4 · 60 students Ashley Middle School CMiddle · Grades 5–8 · 54 students Ashley High School C-High · Grades 9–12 · 48 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within MI. Ratings are from neighbors.