Signals
Elgin
Gary
Opportunity
43 · Bottom 21%
vs35 · Bottom 10%
Growth
28 · Bottom 14%
vs40 · Bottom 32%
Climate
60 · Bottom 16%
vs62 · Bottom 21%
Physical resilience
76 · Top 30%
vs81 · Top 23%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 6%
vs70 · Bottom 42%
Access
89 · Bottom 32%
vs97 · Top 36%
Economic stability
70 · Top 28%
vs15 · Bottom 1%
Measured values
| Metric | Elgin | Gary | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,934 | 68,113 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $90,282 | $38,731 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,057 | $23,453 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,011/sq mi | 1,364/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $273,000 | $94,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,361 | $1,012 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.9% | 49.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 7.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -2.2% | 0.3% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.0% | 14.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.8% | 33.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 184 | 10 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.6 | 0.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -48.5% | 25.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 16°F | 18°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 33.2" | 33.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 22 mi | 4 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 30.9 min | 28.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 36.7 | 36.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Full profiles: Elgin, IL · Gary, IN · How this is calculated: methodology