A suburb of Chicago and located on the Fox River, Elgin has a population of about 108,000. Elgin is proud of its cultural diversity and beautiful area. Elgin is one of the fastest growing communities in the area. Elgin enjoys a moderate summer with temps averaging in the low 80s. It has long, cold winters, with average temps reaching the teens and an average of 33 inches of snow each year. Elgin has a low crime rate. Elgin, Illinois has over 30 individual neighborhoods and each has its own unique personality. Most neighborhoods have their own events and groups. Elgin is a friendly place and anyone thinking of moving to Elgin will surely find the exact right place for them.
Economy:
The median household income for Elgin is slightly higher than the state average. The cost of living in Elgin is near and slightly higher than the national average. The unemployment rate for Elgin is higher than the state average and is currently 11.9%. Top employers in Elgin include Chicago Rawhide Inc., the U.S. Can Company, Amtec Precision Products and Panasonic. Elgin also has many health-related jobs from the Northern Illinois Mental Health Hospital and a Veterans Administration Hospital. The economy was given a boost in the 1990s with the opening of the Grand Victoria Riverboat Casino.
History:
Settled after the Black Hawk War in 1832, the town was named from a Scottish hymn, "The Song of Elgin" by Hezekiah Gifford. In 1849 the railroad came to Elgin, connecting Elgin to Chicago. At that time, Elgin was known for its dairy farms, and Gail Borden built a condensed milk factory in 1866. In 1864 the Elgin Watch Company began and eventually became the world's largest watch-manufacturer. A couple of Mills helped the growth of the town and in 1872 the Illinois State Mental Hospital was built there. The Elgin Watch Company went out of business in 1960.
Tourism:
Elgin has a symphony orchestra, a choral union and a community theater. The Elgin Area Historical Museum has on-going and rotating exhibits about the history of the area, and is housed in a historical building from 1856. The Elgin Public Museum of Natural History and Anthropology has many interesting exhibitions. Lords Park has an exhibit of American Bison and a petting zoo. In addition, Elgin has outdoor activities such as fishing, biking, hiking, horseback riding and nature preserves.