South Elgin 81 Exceptional
South Elgin Livability #82 ranked city in Illinois#1,384 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in South Elgin

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in South Elgin?

Located in the state of Illinois, South Elgin is a medium-sized city with a population of 24,226 inhabitants. In South Elgin, there are 3,452 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. At 78%, the majority of the South Elgin population is White; this is followed by 8% Asian and 4% Black. Something to be aware of when living in South Elgin are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 31 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in South Elgin is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in South Elgin and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, commute, health & safety and other important metrics.

South Elgin has a livability score of 81 out of 100 and is ranked #69 in Illinois and #1,353 in the USA. This is a terrific score, as South Elgin ranks well in multiple categories! South Elgin has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that South Elgin has higher than average grades for the following: crime (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in South Elgin. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F), cost of living (D) and education (D-).

Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 188 crimes per 100,000 residents, South Elgin has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

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, South 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.

Assuming that South Elgin meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in South Elgin. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in South Elgin are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in South Elgin come in at $426,000, which is 38.1% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In South Elgin, the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 20% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around South Elgin

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Compare South Elgin, IL Livability

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      South Elgin transportation information

      Statistic South Elgin Illinois National
      Average one way commute31min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.6%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.5%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.6%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.7%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home10.1%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The South Elgin, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.