Elgin, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elgin, Nebraska had a total population of 642, the 178th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $59,583, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
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 | 620 | 642 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $53,661 | $59,583 | +11.0% |
| Median home value | $98,000 | $110,600 | +12.9% |
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elgin Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Antelope County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | 652 | $57,955 | $92,900 | 19.8% | 20.5% |
| Alda | 651 | $57,500 | $106,500 | 7.0% | 28.0% |
| Hay Springs | 649 | $57,031 | $87,900 | 12.9% | 9.1% |
| Stuart | 628 | $62,361 | $168,800 | 29.0% | 8.3% |
| Osmond | 647 | $66,250 | $132,400 | 20.0% | 17.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 642, 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 Nebraska, within Antelope County. The total population is 642. It ranks as the 178th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elgin is 35.3 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 37.2 years. 17.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elgin is $59,583. This is 22% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.2%. This is 53% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $110,600. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Elgin is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elgin has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.3% of all residents.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 34.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elgin, Nebraska 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 Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska. 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, Nebraska?
Elgin, Nebraska has a population of 642 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elgin, NE?
The median household income in Elgin is $59,583, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elgin, NE?
The poverty rate in Elgin is 16.2%. This means approximately 104 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elgin, Nebraska?
Elgin's population is 98.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elgin, NE?
The median home value in Elgin is $110,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Elgin, Nebraska?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Elgin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.