| Elkader historical population |
| Year |
Pop. |
±% |
| 1860 |
440 |
— |
| 1870 |
697 |
+58.4% |
| 1880 |
851 |
+22.1% |
| 1890 |
745 |
−12.5% |
| 1900 |
1,321 |
+77.3% |
| 1910 |
1,181 |
−10.6% |
| 1920 |
1,223 |
+3.6% |
| 1930 |
1,382 |
+13.0% |
| 1940 |
1,556 |
+12.6% |
| 1950 |
1,584 |
+1.8% |
| 1960 |
1,526 |
−3.7% |
| 1970 |
1,592 |
+4.3% |
| 1980 |
1,688 |
+6.0% |
| 1990 |
1,510 |
−10.5% |
| 2000 |
1,465 |
−3.0% |
| 2010 |
1,273 |
−13.1% |
| Source: "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. |