Elgin, NE

Nebraska

Elgin is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 620. Residents earn $53,661 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
620 Population 849/sq mi density
$53,661 Median Income $41,249 per capita
$98,000 Home Value $236,296 Zillow
$675 Median Rent 15.5% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$53,661 median income, 0.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$98,000 home value, $675/mo rent
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,661
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $98,000
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.9%
44% lower than US avg
Median Rent $675
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.7%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.3%
25% lower than US avg

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

People

Population620
Median Age51.9 yrs
Density849/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 99%

Economy

B+
Median Income$53,661
Per Capita$41,249
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty9.3%
County GDP$576M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$98,000
Rent$675
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$236,296
Rent Burden15.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.7%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain27.9 in/yr
Elevation1,930 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+18.9%
High School+96.5%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 82% / D 16%
Commute22 min
Libraries4

Is Elgin a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elgin receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. 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 $53,661, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. 9.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elgin is $98,000, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $675 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

18.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Elgin experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.9 inches, including 29.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Elgin has a population of 620 with a density of 849 people per square mile. The median age is 51.9 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.7%).

Population

620
Total Population
849
People / sq mi
51.9yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.2%
Female 55.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Elgin vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Elgin vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elgin is $53,661, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Elgin vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,661
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$41,249
Avg Weekly Wage$976
IRS Avg AGI$84,112

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.8%
78% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.3%
25% below US avg
Establishments (County)258
County GDP$576M

Business (County)

Restaurants12
Healthcare20
Retail32
Manufacturing10

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,843
19% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.90%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.7 min
Work from Home3.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Elgin is $98,000, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $675 (42% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $236,296.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$98,000
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$236,296

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$675
42% below US avg
Rent Burden15.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$706
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,274
4 Bedrooms$1,409

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,843
19% below US avg
Effective Rate2.90%
In Elgin, 42.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 18.7% report depression. 25.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.7%
33% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure30.4%
Asthma9.7%
COPD6.1%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.6%
Physical Inactivity25.7%
Depression18.7%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress11.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.4%
Checkup Rate73.8%
Premature Death6,359/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access43.4%
Healthcare Facilities20

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Elgin has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.3°F
11% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.9 inches
27% below US avg
Snowfall29.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,930 ft (588 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density849/sq mi
Coordinates41.9831°N, 98.0828°W
County FIPS31011
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 18.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 66.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 82.5%
D 16.4%

Winner: Republican by 66.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.9%
44% below US avg
High School+96.5%
School Test Score5.81
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density849/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities20
Restaurants12
Retail Stores32

Safety & Disasters

FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.7 min
Work from Home3.6%

Nearby Cities

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