Apartments for Rent in Elgin, IL

Renter's guide to Elgin, IL

Located in Cook and Kane counties in northern Illinois, Elgin is a suburb of Chicago. Split by the Fox River, the ‘City in the Suburbs’ has managed to retain that small-town charm. Diverse and with a strong sense of community, the city has won the National Civic League’s All-America City award two times. It also places among the top 100 most diverse cities in America, and the top 100 best cities for outdoor activities. Quality colleges and universities, plus proximity to employment hubs make Elgin popular with families and young professionals.

With a population of over 112,000, Elgin is the 8th largest city in Illinois, and the third most populous city in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. Despite its size, it’s still more than 20 times smaller in terms of population than Chicago proper, and with an area of 38 sq. miles, it enjoys a moderate population density.

Elgin is located about 40 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, which can be reached via IS 90 in around 40 minutes to an hour in clear traffic. With interstate 90 located close to the city, traveling in any direction is fairly straightforward, and going west will take you the 50 miles to Rockford in around an hour.

Elgin enjoys warm weather June through September, and July is typically the hottest month, with highs averaging out at around 86°F. Temperatures begin to plummet from December through March, and January is typically the coldest month, with average lows of 13.7°F. The city sees an average annual rainfall of around 37 inches, slightly over the national average, with the heaviest rain between May and August. Winters are cold, and the snow starts to fall in November and can last until April. With an annual average of 29.7 inches of snowfall, January generally sees the highest levels.

Tips for renting in Elgin, IL

Things to do in Elgin, IL

Situated on both sides of the Fox River, Elgin offers plenty for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. The forest river bike trails are a great way to explore, with over 40 miles of trails that pass through historic neighborhoods and stunning nature preserves. You can also fish alongside the river at certain points, making for a fantastic Saturday in the sun.

The city also boasts several parks, where you can enjoy sports facilities, picnics, and events. Wing Park hosts weekly summer concerts, every Tuesday evening in June and July, while Festival Park plays hosts to summer Movies in the Park. Festival Park also offers a kids' playground, picnic areas, and a stunning fountain.

Elgin is home to 2 shopping malls, Elgin Mall and Spring Hill Mall. Both offer a variety of well-known stores, where you can find anything from groceries to the latest fashion trends. Each has a number of dining options within their respective food courts. But it’s in Elgin’s various boutique stores, scattered throughout the city, that you’ll find the most curious delights, from custom guitars, to handcrafted jewelry, antiques, and much more. Downtown Elgin also hosts a weekly farmers’ market throughout summer.

Elgin, IL employment & economy

With a median household income of $63,655, Elgin’s residents earn just above the national average of $60,336. A high number of the city’s workforce (20.4%) is employed in the manufacturing sector. Other common industries include healthcare and social assistance, as well as retail trade, while the highest paying industry is public administration.

In terms of specific occupations, the most common jobs held by residents are in office and administrative support roles, production occupations, and sales. Residents working in legal occupations earn the most, on average.

Education in Elgin, IL

Elgin is served by 4 public school districts; Elgin Area School District U46 (which serves most of the city), Community Unit School District 301, Community Unit School District 300, and Community Unit School District 303. In addition, there are 18 private schools within the city limits.

The top-performing high school is South Elgin High, which frequently scores above average on both test grades, quality, and college readiness. The top-performing public elementary school is the Prairie View Grade School, which also does well in test scores, as well as the overall quality of education. Clinton Elementary School is another top-performing elementary school, while the Prairie Knolls Middle School takes the top spot for middle schools in the city.

In terms of higher education, Elgin Community College is a fast-growing college, offering a wide range of degrees, career and technical programs and certificates, and transfer degrees. Judson University is also located in the city, and offers graduate programs in anything from business administration, to architecture. The National Louis University also has a campus in Elgin.