At a Glance
Median Income
$53,750
$28,771 per capita
Home Value
$180,900
Zillow: $275,136
Median Rent
$1,007/mo
27.1% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
9.3%
92.5% high school+
Unemployment
2.9%
6.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
35.3%
13.9% smoking rate
How Elgin Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Elgin's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Elgin a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.5 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Elgin residents earn a median household income of $53,750 , which is 28% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $28,771. The unemployment rate stands at 2.9% (19% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,047 business establishments, including 70 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Elgin is $180,900 , 36% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $275,136. Median rent is $1,007/month, with 27.1% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 103.4 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1971.
Education
9.3% of adults in Elgin hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(72% below the national average).
92.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.0/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Elgin has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C).
Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 25.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 23.
Data Overview
People
Population1,592
Median Age37.2 yrs
Density1,576/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Foreign Born2.8%
Veterans9.3%
Economy
B+
Median Income$53,750
Per Capita$28,771
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty6.0%
County GDP$1,340M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,007
Housing
A+
Home Value$180,900
Rent$1,007
Ownership64.3%
Zillow$275,136
Housing Units681
Rent Burden27.1%
Health
Obesity35.3%
Diabetes9.2%
Smoking13.9%
Heart Disease5.5%
Premature Death9,097/100K
Climate
Avg Temp48°F
Rain25.9 in/yr
AQI23 (Good)
Elevation2,687 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+9.3%
High School+92.5%
Graduate+4.1%
School Score5.0/10
Community
2024 VoteR 69% / D 28%
Commute23 min
Broadband77.4%
Internet Speed47 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries4
Did You Know?
Elgin was founded in 1891.
The median home in Elgin was built in 1971.
The nearest airport is Walla Walla Regional (40 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.432 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
19.8% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 3 fatal vehicle crashes.