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.
Crime
The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.
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.
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.
Elgin is a mid-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 112,062 people. 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. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Elgin, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 28 minutes.
Living in Elgin can be a good experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Illinois, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Elgin, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, commute, education, employment, housing and more.
With a livability score of 81 out of 100, Elgin is ranked #1,070 in the United States and #50 in Illinois. Compared to the US average, Elgin ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Elgin has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Elgin scores well for amenities (A+), crime (A-), employment (B+) and housing (A+) There are some categories that Elgin does not rank well for, including: education (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
Elgin has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Elgin has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives.
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 190 crimes per 100,000 residents, 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, 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.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Elgin. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Elgin are affordable. Median real estate prices in Elgin come in at $196,100, which is 12.2% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Elgin, the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 10% lower than the Illinois average.
| 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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