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CITY

Elgin

Iowa · 670 residents (2025 est.) · 0.678 sq mi
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The short version

Elgin has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $54,688. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $98,800. With a median age of 51.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 27% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 51.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
735
+9%since 2000
from 676 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,084 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 997 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
51.9
+17%since 2000
from 44.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:670 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5716467227988731990201020202024Elgin
2024735
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,688
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,833 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,538
+119%since 2000
from $16,225 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
29.2%
+15.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
3.7%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.394
+1%since 2010
from 0.391 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade11.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Finance & insurance6.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Construction5.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration5.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing4.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$98,800
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$538
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $298 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
82.5%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 71.9% in 2000
17.5% rent
Vacancy rate
11.9%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.7%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
13.1%
−38.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.8
−4%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
49
RELATED:See current rent listings in Elgin on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.7%(674)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0.7%(5)
2024
White, non-Hispanic95.2%(700)
Black0.7%(5)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.4%(25)
Diversity Score11.5%(84)
Diversity Score
11
+1455%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.6%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 12.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.2%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 86.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.6 min
+43%since 2000
from 12.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.9%
−10.1 ptssince 2009
from 89.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
14.9%
+13.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.9%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.9%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 4.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.3%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 61.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.9%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.2%
−24.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Female
50.7%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.3%
−40.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.4%
+9.0 ptssince 2012
from 11.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.1%
−86.2 ptssince 2013
from 93.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.8%
+14.0 ptssince 2017
from 70.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2016
from 98.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2016
from 1.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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ELGIN VS
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ELGIN VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Elgin, Iowa?

Elgin, Iowa has about 735 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Elgin, Iowa?

The typical household in Elgin, Iowa earns about $54,688 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Elgin, Iowa expensive?

In Elgin, Iowa, the median home is worth about $98,800, and the typical rent is about $538 a month.

How educated are people in Elgin, Iowa?

About 19.6% of adults age 25 and over in Elgin, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Elgin, Iowa?

About 3.7% of people in Elgin, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Elgin, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Elgin, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 112 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →