Elgin, Illinois, known as "The City in the Suburbs," is a historic and vibrant community located along the Fox River. With its rich history, diverse cultural scene, and strong economy, Elgin offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of suburban charm and urban amenities makes living in Elgin an attractive option for families and professionals.
Residents of Elgin enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, museums, and historic sites provide ample opportunities for exploration and enrichment. The Elgin Public Museum and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra are cultural highlights that offer residents access to visual and performing arts. The annual Elgin Ribfest and the Nightmare on Chicago Street festival are popular events that celebrate the city's vibrant community spirit.
Elgin's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and education. The city is home to major employers such as Sherman Hospital and Elgin Community College, providing ample job opportunities for residents. The presence of these institutions contributes to Elgin's vibrant economic and cultural environment.
The cost of living in Elgin is relatively affordable compared to other parts of the Chicago metropolitan area, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from historic homes in charming neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere further enhance its appeal.
Public transportation in Elgin is well-developed, with access to Pace buses and Metra trains, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Elgin's climate features four distinct seasons, with hot summers and cold winters, allowing for a variety of seasonal activities. Overall, Elgin offers a blend of historical significance, cultural richness, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Amenities
The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
Employment
This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Ratings
Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.
Schools
The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.
Located in the state of Illinois, Elgin is a moderately-sized city with a population of 115,336 people. With a population density of 3,070 people per square mile, Elgin is well above the nation's average density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Elgin identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 40% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Elgin your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 28 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Elgin could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like amenities, crime, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Elgin and in the areas around Elgin is a much easier task.
The livability score in Elgin is 82/100 and the city is ranked in the 96th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the United States average, Elgin ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Elgin also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. Based on the scores for each individual category, Elgin has received high marks for amenities (A+), crime (A), employment (B+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Elgin scores poorly for, including: education (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
If you're living in Elgin, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Elgin an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Elgin has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Elgin real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Elgin. The median home price for Elgin homes is $362,159, which is 17.4% higher than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Elgin, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 5.7% lower than the Illinois average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Elgin | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 28min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 78.0% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.0% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.4% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.9% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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