Elgin, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elgin, Kansas had a total population of 72, the 594th largest city in Kansas. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 6.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.8% is notably above the national average.
Elgin Quick Facts
How Elgin Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 55 | 72 | +30.9% |
| Median home value | $17,900 | $17,000 | -5.0% |
How Elgin Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elgin Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Chautauqua County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | 1,050 | $46,827 | 22.5% | $41,200 |
| Cedar Vale | 529 | $44,816 | 23.8% | $36,400 |
| Peru | 139 | $39,615 | 18.7% | $37,500 |
| Niotaze | 99 | $73,047 | 19.2% | $154,900 |
| Chautauqua | 91 | N/A | 7.7% | $57,500 |
Cities Similar to Elgin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheaton | 72 | $75,417 | $85,700 | 40.9% | 4.2% |
| Devon | 73 | N/A | N/A | 15.3% | 0.0% |
| Redfield | 71 | $33,958 | $70,000 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Powhattan | 74 | $45,313 | $47,500 | 9.3% | 50.0% |
| Gaylord | 70 | $57,083 | $63,300 | 14.3% | 17.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 72, Elgin's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Elgin is a small community located in Kansas, within Chautauqua County. The total population is 72. It ranks as the 594th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elgin is 46.8 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 37.4 years. Only 9.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 13.8%. This is 254% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $17,000. Housing costs are 92% lower than the state median of $217,200. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 49% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elgin is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.9%.
Education
6.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 82% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elgin, Kansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Elgin, Kansas?
Elgin, Kansas has a population of 72 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elgin, KS?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Elgin — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elgin, KS?
The poverty rate in Elgin is 13.9%. This means approximately 10 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elgin, Kansas?
Elgin's population is 80.6% White, 0.0% Black, 13.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elgin, KS?
The median home value in Elgin is $17,000.
How educated is Elgin, Kansas?
6.5% of adults (25+) in Elgin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.