Elgin city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Elgin city is a major urban center located in Illinois. The total population is 114,106. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Elgin city is 36.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Elgin city is $88,316. This is 8% higher than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 12% higher. The poverty rate stands at 10.4%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $252,400. Housing costs are about average than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Elgin city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Elgin city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 48.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.3%. The Black or African American population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (48.4% vs 18.5%).

Education

26.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Elgin city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. For official data, visit data.census.gov.