South Elgin, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

South Elgin is a small city in Illinois with a population of 23,984. Residents earn $123,744 per year, which is 65% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
23,984 Population 3,299/sq mi density
$123,744 Median Income $51,413 per capita
$296,100 Home Value $359,789 Zillow
$1,619 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
117 Violent Crime/100K 1,065 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$123,744 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$296,100 home value, $1,619/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
117 violent crimes/100K (69% below avg)
A
Education
4.1 / 5.0
38.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $123,744
65% higher than US avg
Home Value $296,100
5% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 117/100K
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 38.4%
14% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,619
39% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.3%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.5%
64% lower than US avg

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

People

Population23,984
Median Age39.2 yrs
Density3,299/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 62%

Economy

A+
Median Income$123,744
Per Capita$51,413
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty4.5%
County GDP$37,058M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$296,100
Rent$1,619
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$359,789

Crime

F
Violent117/100K
Property1,065/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault103/100K
Burglary121/100K

Health

Obesity33.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.8%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain33.2 in/yr
Elevation796 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+38.4%
High School+90.7%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 45% / D 54%
Commute29 min
Libraries18

Is South Elgin a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South Elgin receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. South Elgin offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South Elgin is $123,744, which is significantly higher than the national average — 65% above $75,149. This places South Elgin among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. Only 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South Elgin is $296,100, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,619 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

South Elgin is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 117 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,065 per 100,000, 46% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 38.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 90.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

South Elgin experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

South Elgin has a population of 23,984 with a density of 3,299 people per square mile. The median age is 39.2 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (62%), with 1.6% Hispanic, 5.8% Black.

Population

23,984
Total Population
3,299
People / sq mi
39.2yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
7.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.6%
Female 49.4%

Race & Ethnicity

South Elgin vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only75.5%
4% below US avg
Spanish24.5%
83% above US avg

Social Characteristics

South Elgin vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South Elgin is $123,744, which is 65% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: South Elgin vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$123,744
65% above US avg
Per Capita Income$51,413
Avg Weekly Wage$1,208
IRS Avg AGI$92,140

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.5%
64% below US avg
Establishments (County)12,855
County GDP$37,058M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,068
Healthcare1,260
Retail1,423
Manufacturing790

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,298
166% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.14%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.8 min
Work from Home13.2%

Walkability

The median home value in South Elgin is $296,100, 5% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,619 (39% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $359,789.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$296,100
5% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$359,789
Median List Price$379,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$379,900
$/Sq Ft$217
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio98.0%
Price Drops2.5%
Inventory40

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,619
39% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied81.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,298
166% above US avg
Effective Rate3.14%
In South Elgin, 33.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.8% report depression. 21.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.3%
4% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure27.0%
Asthma9.5%
COPD5.1%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.8%
Physical Inactivity21.1%
Depression19.8%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress11.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Checkup Rate74.6%
Premature Death6,046/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access92.8%
Healthcare Facilities1,260
South Elgin has a violent crime rate of 117 per 100,000 residents, 69% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,065 per 100,000 (46% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent116.9/100K
69% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape4.5/100K
Robbery9.0/100K
Assault103.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,065.3/100K
46% below US avg
Burglary121.4/100K
Theft930.4/100K
Vehicle Theft13.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)37

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
South Elgin has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.7°F
8% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.2 inches
13% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation796 ft (243 m)
Area7.3 sq mi (18.8 km²)
Population Density3,299/sq mi
Coordinates41.9903°N, 88.3143°W
County FIPS17089
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 38.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (14% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 9.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44.6%
D 54%

Winner: Democrat by 9.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+38.4%
14% above US avg
High School+90.7%
School Test Score5.34
A Education Grade (4.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,299/sq mi
Total Area7.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries18
Healthcare Facilities1,260
Restaurants1,068
Retail Stores1,423

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)37
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.8 min
Work from Home13.2%

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