Living in Elgin, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Elgin · Census data 2020–2024
Elgin has 114,934 residents with a median age of 36.7. The median household income is $90,282 (8% higher than the Illinois median), the median home value is $273,000, the median rent is $1,361/month.
Elgin at a glance
- Population
- 114,934
- Median age
- 36.7State: 39
- Median household income
- $90,282State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $273,000State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $1,361/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 71.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Elgin a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 8% higher than the Illinois median; a poverty rate of 9.8%.
Cons: Home values 4% higher than the state median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 6.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Elgin
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Elgin the median home value is $273,000, 18% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,361 per month, which is 29.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,016 a month in housing costs.
Elgin median household income
The median household income in Elgin is $90,282 and the income per person is $37,057. 9.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Elgin: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 40,523
- Owner-occupied
- 71.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 28.1%
- Vacant
- 3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 2.88
Elgin demographics
- Population
- 114,934
- Median age
- 36.7
- Under 18
- 25.3%
- 65 and older
- 13.5%
- Households
- 39,317
- Foreign-born
- 26.4%
- Veterans
- 3.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Elgin ›
Education in Elgin
27% of adults 25 and older in Elgin have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 9.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Elgin
- Unemployment rate
- 6.1%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 12.8%
- Drive alone
- 71.5%
- Public transit
- 1.9%
- Walk to work
- 0.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 94%
Elgin vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elgin | 114,934 | $90,282 | $273,000 | $1,361 |
| South Elgin | 24,217 | $127,203 | $339,100 | $1,640 |
| Sleepy Hollow | 3,161 | $149,813 | $382,800 | $1,363 |
| West Dundee | 7,906 | $105,368 | $360,800 | $1,666 |
| Gilberts | 8,606 | $146,333 | $347,300 | $1,901 |
| East Dundee | 3,146 | $89,583 | $300,000 | $1,277 |
| Carpentersville | 37,346 | $86,917 | $234,100 | $1,414 |
| Pingree Grove | 10,914 | $114,294 | $320,800 | $3,501 |
| Wayne | 2,562 | $161,719 | $642,700 | $2,850 |
More for people moving to Elgin
Elgin ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Elgin: FAQ
What is the median household income in Elgin, IL?
The median household income in Elgin is $90,282, 8% higher than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Elgin?
The median home value in Elgin is $273,000, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Elgin?
The median gross rent in Elgin is $1,361 per month, about 29.5% of household income.
Is Elgin, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 8% higher than the Illinois median; a poverty rate of 9.8%. Minuses: home values 4% higher than the state median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 6.1%.
What is the median age in Elgin?
The median age in Elgin is 36.7 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Elgin?
The average commute to work in Elgin is 28 minutes; 12.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Elgin?
The unemployment rate in Elgin is 6.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Elgin?
27% of adults in Elgin have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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