What are the schools like in Elgin, SC?

Elgin is served primarily by Richland 02. The district operates 23 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 5 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.8:1.

What is the median household income in Elgin?

The median household income in Elgin, SC is $72,898 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 2.4%.

What is the weather like in Elgin, SC?

Elgin has an average high temperature of 54.7°F in January and 91.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 45.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 0.5 inches.

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

Q: Is Elgin, SC affordable or expensive?

Elgin's cost of living index is 97, where 100 represents the national average. This means Elgin is 3% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $177,600 and the median rent is $746 per month.

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

Elgin has a violent crime rate of 424.2 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 5393.9 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Elgin, SC a Good Place to Live?

Elgin is a small town of 2,882 in South Carolina, with a median household income of $72,898 and a 2.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 97 (US average = 100), which is 3% below the national average.

Strengths: Elgin stands out for below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index. 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: 97.0

Elgin's overall cost of living index is 97.0, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Elgin costs roughly 3% less than the average American city.

Metric	Elgin, SC	National Avg
Median Home Value	$177,600	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$746	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	89.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$72,898	$74,755

Crime & Safety

High Crime

Elgin's violent crime rate is 424.2 per 100,000 residents — 12% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

424.2 /100k

Property Crime

5393.9 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Elgin is served primarily by Richland 02. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Elgin, SC	National Avg
School District	Richland 02	—
Elementary Schools	23	—
Middle Schools	4	—
High Schools	5	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.8:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	20.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	78.1%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Elgin sees average highs of 54.7°F in January and 91.4°F in July, with 45.8 inches of annual precipitation and 0.5 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Elgin, SC
Average High — January	54.7°F
Average High — July	91.4°F
Annual Precipitation	45.8"
Annual Snowfall	0.5"

Demographics

Metric	Elgin, SC	National Avg
Population	2,882	—
Median Age	47.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	2.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	26.5 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	65.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	22.8%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	9.1%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	13.1%	22.2%
65 and over	25.4%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Springdale, SC 4 mi Lancaster, SC 5 mi Heath Springs, SC 6 mi Irwin, SC 6 mi Buford, SC 8 mi

Elgin vs Other Cities

Elgin, SC vs Springdale, SC Elgin, SC vs Lancaster, SC Elgin, SC vs Heath Springs, SC Elgin, SC vs Irwin, SC Elgin, SC vs Buford, SC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elgin, SC affordable or expensive?

Elgin's cost of living index is 97, where 100 is the national average. That makes Elgin roughly 3% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $177,600 and median rent is $746/month.

What is the crime rate in Elgin, SC?

Elgin's violent crime rate is 424.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 5393.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Elgin?

Public schools in Elgin are operated by Richland 02. The district has 23 elementary, 4 middle, and 5 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1. 20.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Elgin, SC a good place to live?

Elgin, SC has a population of 2,882, a median household income of $72,898, and an unemployment rate of 2.4%. 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 54.7°F in January and 91.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.8 inches with about 0.5 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Elgin?

The population of Elgin, South Carolina is 2,882 with a median age of 47.9. 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 97 (100 = US average), median home $177,600, median household income $72,898, crime index 170 (100 = US average, lower is safer), 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.