Elgin, OR

Full City Profile · Oregon · Union County County

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
1,592 Population 1,576/sq mi density
$53,750 Median Income $28,771 per capita
$180,900 Home Value $275,136 Zillow
$1,007 Median Rent 27.1% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$53,750 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$180,900 home value, $1,007/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
9.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Elgin experiences four distinct seasons with 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. The area receives 9.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 23.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Geography

Elevation2,687 ft (819 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density1,576/sq mi
Coordinates45.5647°N, 117.9213°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyUnion County County
Nearest AirportWalla Walla Regional (ALW)
40 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.9"
32% below US avg
Snowfall 9.4"
Wettest Month (Dec) 3.77"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.68"

Air Quality

AQI Median23.0
RatingGood
Good Days %82.8%
Unhealthy Days2

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score43.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability51.8 / 100
Community Resilience34.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Low
Avalanche Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

117 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.3. Most recent: M2.6 on Feb 10, 2025.

Nov 28, 1991 7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.3 56 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 56 km
Oct 27, 1994 11 km SE of Halfway, Oregon M4.0 110 km
Aug 7, 1992 8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon M3.9 134 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 134 km
May 18, 2008 11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington M3.7 143 km
Sep 4, 2011 14 km N of Richland, Washington M3.7 140 km
Jan 23, 2015 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon M3.5 52 km
Dec 24, 1999 18 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho M3.5 126 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 125 km
Oct 15, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.4 140 km
May 1, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 139 km
Feb 28, 2004 10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington M3.3 100 km
Aug 27, 2000 16 km W of Richland, Oregon M3.3 101 km
Jun 12, 1995 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 140 km
Jun 16, 1992 10 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon M3.3 109 km
Jul 20, 1998 9 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon M3.3 107 km
Dec 15, 1991 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington M3.3 57 km
Nov 17, 2013 13 km NNE of West Richland, Washington M3.2 141 km
Jul 19, 1998 10 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon M3.2 109 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

21 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 11, 1968 EF2 55 km 0
Jun 26, 1958 EF2 96 km 0
May 6, 2022 EF1 37 km 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 49 km 0
Jan 16, 2000 EF1 84 km 0
Mar 5, 2024 EF0 52 km 0
Jun 27, 2023 EF0 54 km 0
Jul 12, 2016 EF0 69 km 0
May 9, 2013 EF0 43 km 0
May 6, 2009 EF0 30 km 0
Aug 21, 2006 EF0 50 km 0
Jun 23, 2004 EF0 78 km 0
Jul 13, 2002 EF0 72 km 0
May 17, 1996 EF0 100 km 0
May 11, 1995 EF0 88 km 0
May 1, 1991 EF0 60 km 0
Aug 24, 1987 EF0 64 km 0
Jun 21, 1983 EF0 24 km 0
Sep 16, 1975 EF0 82 km 0
May 22, 1964 EF0 65 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: DOUBLE CREEK (171,012 ac, 2022).

Year Name Acres Distance
2022 DOUBLE CREEK 171,012 99 km
2000 MALONEY CREEK 131,397 96 km
2006 COLUMBIA COMPLEX 118,865 68 km
2021 LICK CREEK 80,376 83 km
2015 BUTTE CREEK 79,418 55 km
2012 CACHE CREEK 75,521 88 km
2014 BIG COUGAR 65,397 96 km
1988 TEEPEE BUTTE 59,565 85 km
2005 SCHOOL 51,701 84 km
1996 TOWER 50,827 84 km
2007 CHIMNEY COMPLEX 50,646 98 km
2017 POWERLINE 45,449 98 km
2021 GREEN RIDGE 44,604 69 km
1986 JOSEPH/STARVATION 37,064 63 km
2021 ELBOW CREEK 23,103 42 km
2022 STURGILL 21,641 42 km
1996 UNNAMED 21,130 86 km
1989 CANAL 18,596 77 km
2024 JACK CANYON MUTUAL AID 18,287 83 km
2005 TRYON COMPLEX (CHERRY CREEK) 17,794 90 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 32°F (0°C) 3.3 in
February 35°F (2°C) 2.3 in
March 41°F (5°C) 2.3 in
April 46°F (8°C) 2.4 in
May 54°F (12°C) 2.4 in
June 60°F (16°C) 1.8 in
July 67°F (19°C) 0.7 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 0.7 in Driest
September 59°F (15°C) 1.0 in
October 48°F (9°C) 2.2 in
November 38°F (4°C) 3.2 in
December 31°F (-0°C) 3.8 in Coldest, Wettest

Elgin has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 31°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.0 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.8") and August the driest (0.7").

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