Elgin

Elgin, the sixth largest city in Illinois, is an old town enlivened by a changing scene.
Historic homes in Downtown Elgin are surrounded by old growth trees.
With scenic amenities such as the Fox River, Elgin is a scenic location.
View of the park from across the river in Elgin.
Aerial view of historic district with Elgin downtown and Fox River in the background.

Elgin, IL Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,442

Population

114,676

Renter Mix

32% Rent

A relaxing and tranquil Midwestern city on Lake Michigan

Midwest Chicago Fox River Community

Located 35 miles northwest of Chicago along the Fox River, Elgin combines historical charm with modern appeal. The revitalized downtown area features preserved architecture now housing local restaurants and entertainment venues. The Grand Victoria Casino anchors the riverfront district, contributing to the area's economic vitality. The cityscape includes preserved Victorian and Queen Anne-style homes in historic districts alongside contemporary residential developments.

Elgin's parks and recreation system includes Lords Park, a 112-acre space home to American bison, while Wing Park features an 18-hole golf course and seasonal swimming pool. The Fox River Trail connects cyclists and pedestrians to the 4,200-acre Poplar Creek Forest Preserve. Cultural attractions include performances by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra at the Hemmens Cultural Center. The city's educational landscape features Elgin Community College, Judson University, and the historic Elgin Academy. The city's watchmaking legacy lives on through the Elgin-made clocks still operating in Chicago's Union Station, remnants of what was once the world's largest watch manufacturing facility.

Explore the City

With scenic amenities such as the Fox River, Elgin is a scenic location.

View of the park from across the river in Elgin.

The "Promise of Elgin" mural created by Chicago artist Pablo Serrano.

Aerial view of historic district with Elgin downtown and Fox River in the background.

Elgin features numerous dining options for residents to enjoy.

The Fox River Trail runs through Downtown Elgin.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$86,005

Average: $102,142

Education

26,562

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

59,921

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

38 Years

Largest Age Group

15-24 Years

Approximately 14% of Residents

Under 20

26%

Over 65

16%

Housing Distribution

Elgin has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
32%
Non-Renters
68%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
18%
Other Education
82%

Rent Trends

As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Elgin, IL is $1,174 for a studio, $1,437 for one bedroom, $1,694 for two bedrooms, and $2,291 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Elgin has increased by 2.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,437/month
665 Sq Ft
House
$2,412/month
1,439 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,864/month
825 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,488/month
1,383 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Elgin, IL

Getting Around

Fairly Walkable

Walkability

40 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

100 / 100

Moderately Bikeable

Bikeability

60 / 100

Schools

Country Trails Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

662 Students

Prairie View Grade School

Public

Grades PK-5

724 Students

Highland Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

630 Students

Century Oaks Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

543 Students

Hilltop Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

526 Students

Prairie Knolls Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

799 Students

Ellis Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

543 Students

Larsen Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

611 Students

Kimball Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

527 Students

Abbott Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

551 Students

Elgin High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,750 Students

Larkin High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,264 Students

Dream Academy

Public

Grades 7-12

140 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Hawthorne Hill Nature Center
  • Tyler Creek Forest Preserve
  • Elgin Public Museum
  • Burnidge Forest Preserve
  • Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve

Airports

  • Chicago O'Hare International
  • Chicago Midway International

Top Apartments in Elgin

Houses for Rent in Elgin

Property Management Companies in Elgin, IL

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.