City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

South Elgin, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for South Elgin - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

23,984
Residents
$123,744
Median income
$296,100
Median home
$1,781
Median rent (state)

South Elgin - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, South Elgin places in the 88th percentile for household income and the 70th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

88th
percentile, household income
65th
percentile, home value
72nd
percentile, median rent
70th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: South Elgin, IL

23,984 people live in South Elgin, Illinois - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in South Elgin brings in $123,744 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.5%. Home values in South Elgin run a median of $296,100, and the median resident age is 39.2 years. About 38.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 69.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 306 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 1124% from five years earlier. South Elgin reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 855.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Illinois at 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,781 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Illinois's average monthly utility costs around $240 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 94.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

23,984 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$123,744 /yr

Poverty 4.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does South Elgin compare to other US cities?

Here's how South Elgin stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 88% higher than other cities
Home value 65% pricier than other cities
Median rent 72% pricier than other cities
Safety 70% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Illinois alone, South Elgin ranks #203 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below South Elgin's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Illinois, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

88thIncome percentile
70thSafety percentile

88th percentile nationally for median household income · 70th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

South Elgin's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

South Elgin's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 63 Avg. percentile National median
South Elgin's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How South Elgin's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$296,100 35th percentile more affordable than 35% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. South Elgin $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - South Elgin, IL South Elgin, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not South Elgin, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution South Elgin, IL median $123,744/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
South Elgin, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for South Elgin, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 38.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
23,984
Median Income
$123,744
Median Home Value
$296,100
Median Age
39.2
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Labor force participation
69.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
38.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
855.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
188.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
667.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
23,000 residents24,000 residents25,000 residents26,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 23,823 residents 25,656 residents ▲ +7.7%
South Elgin's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
306
housing units authorized
Single-Family
234
detached homes
Multifamily
72
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
12.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 25
2020 90
2021 111
2022 139
2023 229
2024 306

Permit volume increased 1124% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.0%
Carpool
9.3%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
13.2%
Other
1.5%

Based on 13,236 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county South Elgin sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,781/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
94.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Elmwood Park
23,982 people
Rolling Meadows
23,981 people
Collinsville
24,126 people
Westmont
24,201 people
Freeport
23,636 people
Kankakee
24,384 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to South Elgin's 23,984 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bloomingdale, FL
23,979 people
North Potomac, MD
23,994 people
Solon, OH
23,970 people
Brambleton, VA
23,999 people
Gardner, KS
24,020 people
White Bear Lake, MN
24,026 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to South Elgin's $123,744 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Spring Mill, KY
$123,750 median income
Marine on St. Croix, MN
$123,750 median income
Sabin, MN
$123,750 median income
Hutchinson, NJ
$123,750 median income
Bardonia, NY
$123,750 median income
South Lincoln, VT
$123,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - South Elgin, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition South Elgin, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 62.0% 11.7% 9.1% 10.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 21.0% White 62.0% Black or African American 5.8% Asian 11.7% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.8% Some other race 9.1% Two or more races 10.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How South Elgin compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
South Elgin (this city) 23,984 $123,744
Elmwood Park 23,982 $84,121
Rolling Meadows 23,981 $100,424
Collinsville 24,126 $65,170
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about South Elgin, IL?

What is the population of South Elgin, IL? +

South Elgin, IL has a population of 23,984 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in South Elgin, IL? +

Median annual household income in South Elgin runs $123,744, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in South Elgin? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for South Elgin; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

Is South Elgin, IL safe? +

South Elgin has a total crime rate of 855.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in South Elgin, IL? +

South Elgin's median home value sits at $296,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.