Elgin, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Elgin is a large city in Illinois with a population of 114,106. Residents earn $88,316 per year, which is 18% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
114,106 Population 2,989/sq mi density
$88,316 Median Income $36,037 per capita
$252,400 Home Value $323,259 Zillow
$1,260 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature 267 sunny days/yr
200 Violent Crime/100K 1,806 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$88,316 median income, 4.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$252,400 home value, $1,260/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
200 violent crimes/100K (47% below avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $88,316
18% higher than US avg
Home Value $252,400
10% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 200/100K
47% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.0%
23% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,260
8% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.7%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.4%
22% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.9%
28% lower than US avg

How Elgin Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population114,106
Median Age36.3 yrs
Density2,989/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 45%

Economy

A
Median Income$88,316
Per Capita$36,037
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty8.9%
County GDP$15,983M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$252,400
Rent$1,260
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$323,259

Crime

F
Violent200/100K
Property1,806/100K
Murder2.7/100K
Assault97/100K
Burglary270/100K

Health

Obesity35.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.7%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain41.7 in/yr
Sunny Days267/yr
Elevation817 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.0%
High School+81.2%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 47%
Commute28 min
EV Stations23
Libraries13

Is Elgin a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elgin receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, abundant sunshine. Elgin offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elgin is $88,316, 18% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 4.4%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elgin is $252,400, 10% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,260 per month. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Elgin is below the national average at 200 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,806 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

26.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Elgin experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 267 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 41.7 inches, including 25.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Elgin has a population of 114,106 with a density of 2,989 people per square mile. The median age is 36.3 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (45.3%), with 3.6% Hispanic, 5.2% Black.

Population

114,106
Total Population
2,989
People / sq mi
36.3yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
38.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.7%
Female 49.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Elgin vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only53.1%
32% below US avg
Spanish46.9%
250% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Elgin vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elgin is $88,316, which is 18% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Elgin vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$88,316
18% above US avg
Per Capita Income$36,037
Avg Weekly Wage$1,060
IRS Avg AGI$93,804

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.4%
22% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.9%
28% below US avg
Establishments (County)7,928
County GDP$15,983M

Business (County)

Restaurants645
Healthcare846
Retail816
Manufacturing432

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,712
149% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.45%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.8 min
Work from Home11.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Elgin is $252,400, 10% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,260 (8% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $323,259.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$252,400
10% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$323,259
Median List Price$348,700

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$348,700
$/Sq Ft$191
Homes Sold61
Sale-to-List Ratio98.4%
Price Drops13.3%
Inventory196

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,260
8% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,736

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,712
149% above US avg
Effective Rate3.45%
In Elgin, 35.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 18.7% report depression. 26.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Elgin vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.7%
11% above US avg
Diabetes11.5%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma9.4%
COPD5.4%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity26.5%
Depression18.7%
Mental Distress16.2%
Physical Distress12.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.3%
Checkup Rate74.2%
Premature Death5,730/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access93.1%
Healthcare Facilities846
Elgin has a violent crime rate of 200 per 100,000 residents, 47% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,806 per 100,000 (8% below US avg). The murder rate is 2.7 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Elgin vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent199.8/100K
47% below US avg
Murder2.7/100K
57% below US avg
Rape41.6/100K
Robbery58.8/100K
Assault96.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,805.7/100K
8% below US avg
Burglary270.4/100K
Theft1,459.4/100K
Vehicle Theft76.0/100K
Arson13.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Elgin has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.7 inches. The area enjoys 267 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.6°F
4% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days267 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.7 inches
10% above US avg
Snowfall25.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation817 ft (249 m)
Area38.2 sq mi (98.9 km²)
Population Density2,989/sq mi
Coordinates42.0390°N, 88.3257°W
County FIPS17111
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 26.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 5.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 51.9%
D 46.6%

Winner: Republican by 5.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.0%
23% below US avg
High School+81.2%
School Test Score5.34
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,989/sq mi
Total Area38.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations23
Alt Fuel Stations25
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities846
Restaurants645
Retail Stores816

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.8 min
Work from Home11.6%

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