Elgin, ND

North Dakota

Elgin is a small town in North Dakota with a population of 654. Residents earn $40,000 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
654 Population 798/sq mi density
$40,000 Median Income $31,735 per capita
$111,400 Home Value
$649 Median Rent
42°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$40,000 median income, 6.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$111,400 home value, $649/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,000
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $111,400
60% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.3%
34% lower than US avg
Median Rent $649
44% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.1%
69% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.0%
53% higher than US avg

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

People

Population654
Median Age42.3 yrs
Density798/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

C+
Median Income$40,000
Per Capita$31,735
Unemployment6.1%
Poverty19.0%
County GDP$104M
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$111,400
Rent$649
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.8%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F
AQI38 (Good)
Elevation2,353 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.3%
High School+85.4%
School Score5.74

Community

2024 VoteR 83% / D 16%
Commute12 min
Libraries1

Is Elgin a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elgin receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. 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 $40,000, 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 19.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elgin is $111,400, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $649 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

22.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Elgin has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Elgin has a population of 654 with a density of 798 people per square mile. The median age is 42.3 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.9%).

Population

654
Total Population
798
People / sq mi
42.3yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.6%
Female 56.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Elgin vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.3%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.7%
10% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Elgin vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elgin is $40,000, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 19.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Elgin vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,000
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,735
Avg Weekly Wage$962
IRS Avg AGI$57,151

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.1%
69% above US avg
Poverty Rate19.0%
53% above US avg
Establishments (County)110
County GDP$104M

Business (County)

Restaurants8
Healthcare10
Retail11
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.4 min
Work from Home4.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Elgin is $111,400, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $649 (44% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$111,400
60% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$649
44% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$769
1 Bedroom$795
2 Bedrooms$965
3 Bedrooms$1,297
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied68.6%

Property Tax

In Elgin, 42.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.8% report depression. 27.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.2%
31% above US avg
Diabetes10.3%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure32.9%
Asthma11.0%
COPD7.3%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.1%
Physical Inactivity27.5%
Depression22.8%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress13.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.7%
Checkup Rate72.8%
Premature Death8,581/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access27.3%
Healthcare Facilities10

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Elgin has an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average42.2°F
22% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,353 ft (717 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density798/sq mi
Coordinates46.4015°N, 101.8474°W
County FIPS38037
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 22.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 66.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 82.5%
D 15.7%

Winner: Republican by 66.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.3%
34% below US avg
High School+85.4%
School Test Score5.74
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density798/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities10
Restaurants8
Retail Stores11

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.4 min
Work from Home4.7%

Nearby Cities

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