Elgin, Oregon Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elgin, Oregon had a total population of 1,549, the 191st largest city in Oregon, with a median household income of $57,750, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
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 | 1,592 | 1,549 | -2.7% |
| Median household income | $53,750 | $57,750 | +7.4% |
| Median home value | $180,900 | $191,300 | +5.7% |
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: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elgin Rankings in Oregon
Explore Oregon Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Grande | 13,058 | $58,427 | 20.9% | $278,700 |
| Union | 2,290 | $65,047 | 18.9% | $231,400 |
| Island City | 1,145 | $66,563 | 14.0% | $295,100 |
| Cove | 651 | $82,500 | 12.8% | $328,000 |
| North Powder | 563 | $52,273 | 10.5% | $142,200 |
| Imbler | 189 | $66,250 | 27.5% | $275,000 |
| Summerville | 106 | $120,417 | 3.9% | $275,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Day | 1,609 | $57,891 | $212,100 | 18.0% | 12.9% |
| Rockaway Beach | 1,562 | $53,872 | $342,300 | 27.1% | 11.3% |
| Grand Ronde | 1,549 | $52,669 | $318,500 | 3.6% | 24.8% |
| Bunker Hill | 1,626 | $60,058 | $227,600 | 11.7% | 24.3% |
| Chenoweth | 1,445 | $63,425 | $228,600 | 15.5% | 10.9% |
Population Overview
Elgin is a small community located in Oregon, within Union County. The total population is 1,549. It ranks as the 191st most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Oregon.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elgin is 36.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elgin is $57,750. This is 30% lower than the state median of $83,011. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.4%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $191,300. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $477,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 64.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 63.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elgin has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 14.7%.
Education
9.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 36.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elgin, Oregon 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 Oregon state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Oregon. 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, Oregon?
Elgin, Oregon has a population of 1,549 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elgin, OR?
The median household income in Elgin is $57,750, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elgin, OR?
The poverty rate in Elgin is 10.4%. This means approximately 161 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elgin, Oregon?
Elgin's population is 87.7% White, 0.0% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elgin, OR?
The median home value in Elgin is $191,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Elgin, Oregon?
9.9% of adults (25+) in Elgin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.