What are the schools like in Elgin, NE?

Elgin is served primarily by ELGIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 8.3:1.

What is the median household income in Elgin?

The median household income in Elgin, NE is $51,806 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.

What is the weather like in Elgin, NE?

Elgin has an average high temperature of 32.0°F in January and 83.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 27.4 inches and annual snowfall averages 29.7 inches.

Elgin, NE Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Elgin, NE affordable or expensive?

Elgin's cost of living index is 86, where 100 represents the national average. This means Elgin is 14% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $87,200 and the median rent is $639 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Elgin, NE?

Crime rate data for Elgin is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Elgin, NE a Good Place to Live?

Elgin is a small town of 610 in Nebraska, with a median household income of $51,806 and a 2.5% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is 14% below the national average.

Strengths: Elgin stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Elgin is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Elgin city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 86.0

Elgin's overall cost of living index is 86.0, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Elgin costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.

Metric	Elgin, NE	National Avg
Median Home Value	$87,200	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$639	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	80.1%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$51,806	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Elgin is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Elgin is served primarily by ELGIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The student-to-teacher ratio is 8.3:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Elgin, NE	National Avg
School District	ELGIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	8.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	21.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	97.1%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Elgin sees average highs of 32.0°F in January and 83.7°F in July, with 27.4 inches of annual precipitation and 29.7 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Elgin, NE
Average High — January	32.0°F
Average High — July	83.7°F
Annual Precipitation	27.4"
Annual Snowfall	29.7"

Demographics

Metric	Elgin, NE	National Avg
Population	610	—
Median Age	57.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	2.5%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	20.3 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	99.3%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.0%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	16.2%	22.2%
65 and over	33.4%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Raeville, NE 6 mi Oakdale, NE 8 mi Petersburg, NE 9 mi Neligh, NE 10 mi Tilden, NE 14 mi

ZIP Codes in Elgin

Elgin, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code:

68636

Elgin vs Other Cities

Elgin, NE vs Raeville, NE Elgin, NE vs Oakdale, NE Elgin, NE vs Petersburg, NE Elgin, NE vs Neligh, NE Elgin, NE vs Tilden, NE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elgin, NE affordable or expensive?

Elgin's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average. That makes Elgin roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $87,200 and median rent is $639/month.

What is the crime rate in Elgin, NE?

Crime data for Elgin is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Elgin?

Public schools in Elgin are operated by ELGIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 8.3:1. 21.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Elgin, NE a good place to live?

Elgin, NE has a population of 610, a median household income of $51,806, and an unemployment rate of 2.5%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Elgin?

Elgin averages 32.0°F in January and 83.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 27.4 inches with about 29.7 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Elgin?

Elgin, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code: 68636.

What is the population of Elgin?

The population of Elgin, Nebraska is 610 with a median age of 57.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Elgin?

Key numbers for living in Elgin: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $87,200, median household income $51,806, schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Elgin side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.