2021 · ElginIowaPopPlot · Wikimedia Commons
Elgin’s story
Elgin in pictures
2 postcards, papers and photographs from public archives, and 1 places on the National Register.
ElginIA
A town of 735. A typical home worth about $285K.
Population
735
+0.3% since 2010
Typical home
$285K
+15.1% in a year
Household income
$55K
median
Median age
51.9
years
Jobs based here
102
A commuter town
What makes Elgin stand out
The thing Elgin does most differently from other towns.
Small town
735 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Elgin’s report card
Now in Elgin
Be the first to start the conversation.
Start a conversation
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Elgin. Another town gets a different order.
Natural hazards
Very high risk, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 85% of U.S. communities.
85risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesHail
19
paid flood claims since 1991
3
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Work & commute
Most working residents commute out of Elgin
Most working residents leave Elgin for work: only 3% work in town. The top destinations are West Union (19%), Postville (6%) and Decorah (6%). Half commute less than 22 miles.
3%work in town
Where working residents work
In Elgin3%
West Union19%
Postville6%
Decorah6%
Cedar Rapids3%
22 mi
median commute distance
102
jobs based in Elgin
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Climate
Snowy winters, pleasant summers
Elgin has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 8°, and about 41 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
41″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter12–29°
Spring35–57°
Summer59–80°
Fall38–59°
Oct 4
typical first frost
May 4
typical last frost
+0.8°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Housing
A typical Elgin home is worth about $285K
The typical Elgin home is worth about $285,000, up 15.1% in a year, 19% above the Iowa typical home.
$285KZillow home value
Typical home value
Elgin$285K
Iowa$240K
+15.1%
value change, 1 year
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →
Health
How healthy Elgin is
Elgin beats the Iowa average on 1 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 3.
32 measures vs. Iowa
1 better28 too close to call3 worse
| What stands out | Elgin | IA |
|---|---|---|
| More adults screened for colon cancer | 71.3% | 66.6% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 10.8% | 8.7% |
Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics
8.8 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
A commuter town
97% of working residents leave Elgin for work
Where Elgin’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
102jobs based in Elgin
3%of working residents work in town
22 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Elgin
City in Iowa, United States
Elgin is a city in Fayette County, Iowa, United States. The population was 685 at the time of the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Population
- 685
- Area
- 0.7 sq mi
- Elevation
- 807 ft
- ZIP code
- 52141