Median Age
38 Years
Largest Age Group
15-24 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
26%
Over 65
16%
Elgin, IL Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,450
Population
114,676
Renter Mix
32% Rent
A relaxing and tranquil Midwestern city on Lake Michigan
Midwest
•
Chicago
•
Fox River
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.
Popular Neighborhoods
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.
Aerial view of historic district with Elgin downtown and Fox River in the background.
The "Promise of Elgin" mural created by Chicago artist Pablo Serrano.
Residents keep active along The Fox River Walk in Downtown Elgin.
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.
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 July 2026, the average apartment rent in Elgin, IL is $961 for a studio, $1,451 for one bedroom, $1,713 for two bedrooms, and $2,410 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Elgin has increased by 2.9% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,451/month
665 Sq Ft
House
$2,380/month
1,303 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,940/month
925 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,483/month
1,475 Sq Ft
Learn More About Elgin
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Elgin, IL is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
60
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Country Trails Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
740 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
613 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
662 Students
Public
Grades K-5
674 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
473 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
765 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
536 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
557 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
552 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
542 Students
Public
Grades PK & 9-12
2,055 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,339 Students
Public
Grades 7-12
140 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
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
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Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
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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 June 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.