In 1916, Camp Wood YMCA was built about 1.5 miles south of Elmdale.[8][9]
There have been many floods during the history of Elmdale. In June and July 1951, due to heavy rains, rivers and streams flooded many cities in Kansas, including Elmdale. Many reservoirs and levees were built in Kansas as part of a response to the Great Flood of 1951. A levy was built and saved the town from many floods, but in 1998 a flood went over the levy.
In 1967, the high school closed, then later the grade school. All students currently go to school in Cottonwood Falls.
The 2020 census shows that there were 40 people living in Elmdale. The population density was 242 inhabitants per square mile (93.4/km2). There were 18 housing units at an average density of 109 per square mile (42.1/km2). The people were 82.5% White, 5.0% Native American, 2.5% African American, and 10.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.5% of the people.
There were 11 households, of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 36.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.1% had a male householder with no wife present. 18.2% of all households had only one person, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.64.
The median age in the city was 26.5 years. 42.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.0% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.0% were from 25 to 44; 27.5% were from 45 to 64; and 5.0% were 65 years of age or older. The people were 50% male and 50% female.[4]
2010 census
The 2010 census[12] shows that there were 55 people, 23 households, and 11 families living in Elmdale. The population density was 323.5 inhabitants per square mile (124.9/km2). There were 27 housing units at an average density of 158.8 per square mile (61.3/km2). The people were 96.4% White and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.1% of the people.
There were 23 households, of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 52.2% were non-families. 43.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.09.
The median age in the city was 45.3 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.3% were from 25 to 44; 38.2% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The people were 56.4% male and 43.6% female.
Government
The Elmdale government has a mayor and five council members. The council meets the 1st Monday of each month at 7PM.[2]
Education
The community is served by Chase County USD 284 public school district. It has two schools.