Living in Elgin, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Elgin · Census data 2020–2024
Elgin has 735 residents with a median age of 51.9. The median household income is $54,688 (27% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $98,800, the median rent is $538/month.
Elgin is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Elgin at a glance
- Population
- 735
- Median age
- 51.9State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $54,688State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $98,800State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $538/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 82.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19.6%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Elgin a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 53% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 2.9%; a poverty rate of 3.7%.
Cons: Median household income 27% lower than the Iowa median.
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 $98,800, 70% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $538 per month, which is 19% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,075 a month in housing costs.
Elgin median household income
The median household income in Elgin is $54,688 and the income per person is $35,538. 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Elgin: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 396
- Owner-occupied
- 82.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 17.5%
- Vacant
- 11.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 2.11
Elgin demographics
- Population
- 735
- Median age
- 51.9
- Under 18
- 18.2%
- 65 and older
- 31.6%
- Households
- 349
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 9.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Elgin ›
Education in Elgin
19.6% of adults 25 and older in Elgin have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 3.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Elgin
- Unemployment rate
- 2.9%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 14.9%
- Drive alone
- 78.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.8%
Elgin vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elgin | 735 | $54,688 | $98,800 | $538 |
| Clermont | 627 | $85,625 | $117,200 | $434 |
| Wadena | 177 | $38,750 | $94,200 | $532 |
| West Union | 2,489 | $53,617 | $121,000 | $967 |
| Postville | 2,979 | $49,485 | $104,700 | $861 |
| Castalia | 142 | $61,250 | $97,500 | — |
| Volga | 216 | $54,063 | $80,700 | — |
| Luana | 317 | $76,750 | $152,700 | $800 |
| Fayette | 1,309 | $47,917 | $119,000 | $1,347 |
More for people moving to Elgin
Elgin ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Elgin: FAQ
What is the median household income in Elgin, IA?
The median household income in Elgin is $54,688, 27% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (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 $98,800, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Elgin?
The median gross rent in Elgin is $538 per month, about 19% of household income.
Is Elgin, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 53% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 2.9%; a poverty rate of 3.7%. Minuses: median household income 27% lower than the Iowa median.
What is the median age in Elgin?
The median age in Elgin is 51.9 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Elgin?
The average commute to work in Elgin is 18 minutes; 14.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Elgin?
The unemployment rate in Elgin is 2.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Elgin?
19.6% 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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