Elgin

Elgin is known as the Jewel of the Blue Mountains. Located along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, Elgin sits in Indian Valley, nestled against a backdrop of mountains — the Wallowas to the east and the Blues to the west, with the Grande Ronde River flowing through it.

Elgin is a city in Union County that is known for its’ Elgin Opera House. Historically, Elgin was the gathering place for trappers and hunters to replenish their supplies. By 1887 Elgin had general stores, a livery, a hotel, and a church, as well as a nearby sawmill, which continues as a more modern Boise Cascade mill.Growth increased with the arrival of the railroad in 1890, and Elgin was incorporated by the Oregon Legislative Assembly on February 18, 1891.[9]

For more information, visit https://cityofelginor.org/

Population

Total Population

1,612

Population
Growth Rate

-0.29%

Median Age

43

Diversity Index

35.200

Source: ESRI, 2026-09-09

Housing & Income

Households

700

Total Housing Units

757


Owner Occupied

467

Renter Occupied

233

Vacant

57

Median Home Value

$231,019


Average Home Value

$259,823

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

2.67%

Income Projection

Median Household

$65,799 $77,869


Average Household

$77,813 $87,650


Per Capita

$33,790 $38,557

Source: ESRI, 2026-09-09

Workforce

Total Businesses

66

Total Employed

379

Workers 16+

703

2026 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

5

Employed

134

2026 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

12

Employed

54

2026 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

8

Employed

47

2026 Other Service excl Pub Admin

cp-industries

Businesses

12

Employed

36

2026 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

6

Employed

27

2026 Food & Beverage Retailers

N

Businesses

3

Employed

23

Some
High School

34

Graduated
High School

380

Associates
Degree

148

Bachelor's
Degree

120

Graduate
Degree

28

Average Commute Time

23 min.



Resident Commuters

640

Non-Resident Commuters

30

Drive Alone

619

Carpooled

43

Public

0

Work At Home

13

Source: ESRI, 2026-09-09