Elkhart's housing stock reflects its small-town, agricultural character. Homes are predominantly modest single-family houses on larger lots, with a mix of older residences from the town's early history, mid-century construction, and some newer homes on the outskirts. Mature trees and generous yards are common, and many properties include space for gardens or outbuildings. The surrounding Anderson County countryside offers acreage, rural homesites, and timberland for buyers seeking privacy and space. The market is locally driven and centered on families connected to the school district and the area's farming and timber economy, giving Elkhart a stable, low-density residential character rather than a suburban one.

Elkhart is a compact town organized around its school, churches, and the State Highway 19 corridor. Older homes cluster near the original town center, while newer construction spreads toward the highway and the surrounding countryside. The town is small enough that every neighborhood sits within easy reach of the school and local businesses, and the surrounding area blends into the timberland and farmland of southern Anderson County. Rural homesites and small acreages fill the spaces between Elkhart and the nearby communities of Palestine and Slocum, giving residents a mix of in-town convenience and country living in the heart of East Texas.

Life in Elkhart is quiet, neighborly, and steeped in East Texas tradition. Many residents trace their families to the town's earliest settlers, and the community retains a strong sense of continuity around its churches, school, and local businesses. The town's pace is unhurried, and its agricultural surroundings give daily life a rural, grounded feel. Palestine, eleven miles north, provides shopping, healthcare, and cultural events, including the spring Dogwood Trails celebration and excursions on the Texas State Railroad. The proximity of the Davy Crockett National Forest encourages hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation, and the community's position along State Highway 19 keeps larger East Texas cities within a reasonable drive.

Elkhart is served by Elkhart Independent School District, a rural district based in town with campuses including Elkhart Elementary and Elkhart High School. The district covers southwest Anderson County and extends into northern Houston County, serving the town and the surrounding countryside. Its small size fosters close relationships among students, families, and staff, and the schools are a focal point of community life, with athletics and local events drawing residents together. Higher education is available within driving distance at Tyler Junior College and the University of Texas at Tyler, as well as other East Texas institutions.

Elkhart sits on State Highway 19, a north-south route connecting the town to Palestine about eleven miles north and to Crockett and the Davy Crockett National Forest to the south. Palestine provides access to U.S. Highways 79 and 287 and the Texas State Railroad, while the regional network links Elkhart to Tyler, Lufkin, and the broader East Texas area. There is no public transit in the town, so residents rely on personal vehicles. Regional airports serve Palestine and Tyler, with larger commercial service available at the airports of the Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston areas.

Recreation around Elkhart draws on the Piney Woods. The Davy Crockett National Forest, covering more than 160,000 acres, lies to the south and offers hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping, while Ratcliff Lake, within the forest, provides a developed recreation area for swimming, boating, and picnicking. Palestine, eleven miles north, adds the Texas State Railroad's excursion trains, Davey Dogwood Park, and the spring Dogwood Trails celebration that draws visitors across East Texas. The surrounding timberland and the Neches River country support year-round outdoor pursuits, and larger lakes and recreation areas of the region are within a regional drive.