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

1,777

Population
Growth Rate

0.41%

Median Age

44

Diversity Index

34.700

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Housing & Income

Households

766

Total Housing Units

826


Owner Occupied

526

Renter Occupied

240

Vacant

60

Median Home Value

$214,706


Average Home Value

$246,692

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

2.38%

Income Projection

Median Household

$59,181 $67,041


Average Household

$77,234 $85,218


Per Capita

$33,293 $37,441

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Workforce

Total Businesses

68

Total Employed

400

Workers 16+

628

2025 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

5

Employed

149

2025 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

12

Employed

56

2025 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

9

Employed

52

2025 Other Service excl Pub Admin

cp-industries

Businesses

12

Employed

35

2025 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

6

Employed

28

2025 Food & Beverage Retailers

N

Businesses

3

Employed

24

Some
High School

76

Graduated
High School

410

Associates
Degree

182

Bachelor's
Degree

106

Graduate
Degree

46

Average Commute Time

23 min.



Resident Commuters

553

Non-Resident Commuters

41

Drive Alone

514

Carpooled

36

Public

0

Work At Home

18

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30