10 Best Independent Living Communities in Elgin, IL

 

Independent Living in Elgin, IL

 

Independent living communities, also known as retirement communities or 55+ communities in Elgin, offer a wide range of services to seniors who desire to live independently among their peers.

Cost of Independent Living in Elgin, IL

The median monthly cost of independent living in Elgin is about $1,926 within the metropolitan area. When it comes to senior living, Elgin, IL is a great option for you or your loved one.

Learn More About Elgin, IL

 

Cost of Living

 

The cost of living in Elgin is cheaper than the national average. Both the cost-of-living index and the grocery index are rated below average costs. All index scores are based on a sliding scale with the national average set at 100.

Cost-of-living index	Grocery index	Median rent	Rent burden	Median home value	Median family income	Estate tax
99	94	$1,386	21.4% spend over 30% of their income on rent	$170,777	$63,655	The top estate tax rate is 16% with an exemption threshold of $4 million.

 

 

Local Hospitals

 

The highest-rated hospitals in Elgin include:

• Advocate Sherman Hospital – This 255-bed acute care community has one of the leading heart institutes in the region with over 350 specialists on staff. This hospital also offers emergency and intensive care services.
• AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Elgin – A 184-bed, full service hospital, AMITA Health Saint Joseph is nationally ranked in both cardiac and cancer care. The hospital maintains a certified cancer center, an intensive care unit, and an emergency department.
• Elgin Mental Health Center – This 383-bed psychiatric hospital provides psychiatric services to the surrounding area. These services include therapy, medication management, and rehabilitation services.

 

 

Weather and Climate

 

The city of Elgin has a hot-summer/humid continental according to the Koppen Climate Classification Index. This means that the city experiences four distinct sessions. The summers tend to be hot and muggy while the winters are often cold and snowy. On average, the humidity level for Elgin is roughly 55%. The humidity levels tend to be highest during the month of December at about 60%.

Seasonal Temperatures

Average summer temp	Typical summer high	Typical summer low	Average winter temp	Typical winter high	Typical winter low
72°F	85°F (July)	59°F (July)	26°F	36°F (December)	16°F (January)

 

Air Quality

Average air quality index rating	Average maximum air quality index rating
62 (Moderate)	85 in December (Moderate)

Moderate conditions mean that those who are sensitive to particulates in the air should consider limiting the amount of time they spend on outdoor exertion.

Precipitation

Average monthly precipitation	Average maximum monthly precipitation	Average yearly snowfall
3”	5” (May)	33”

 

 

Demographics and Values

 

Like most of the other suburbs of Chicago, politics in the city of Elgin tend to lean notably liberal. The city is home to many young families and is considered to be very diverse, boasting one of the regions largest Laotian communities as well as a sizable Mexican community.

2016 Presidential Election for Kane County

Voted Democratic	Voted Republican	Voted Third Party
52.0%	41.5%	6.5%

 

Population Statistics

Population metro area	Population city proper	Population density	Population trend
9,533,040	112,456	1,157 people per square mile	Shrinking at a rate of 0.44%

 

Age

Median	55+	60+	70+	80+
34	22%	9%	5%	2%

 

Highest Level of Education

High-school diploma	College degree	Graduate degree
25%	25%	8%

 

Race & Ethnicity

Asian	Black	Hispanic	Native American	Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian	White	Two or more
6.3%	6%	45.2%	1%	<1%	40.9%	3.3%

 

Crime

Total crimes	Property crimes per 1,000 citizens	Violent crimes per 1,000 citizens
1,822	14	2

 

Miscellaneous

Unemployed	Participate in the labor force	Have some form of disability	Live in poverty	Widows	Veterans
7%	70%	9%	13%	5%	4%

Elgin is considered friendly to members of the LGBTQ+ community. This means that members of the community can participate in public life without fear of bigotry or discrmination.

 

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation

 

Located 30 miles outside of Chicago, Elgin is a midwest riverboat town just a stone’s throw outside of Chicago. The city even has its own riverboat casino, The Grand Victoria Casino, where patrons can eat, play slots, or try their hand at black jack or Texas hold ‘em. It was because of this casino that Elgin had an economic renaissance. Many businesses have capitalized on this, opening swanky clubs and bars that cater to the riverboat’s patrons.

The city is also a hub of classical and choral music, boasting a number of successful ensembles including the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Elgin Master Chorale, and the Elgin Children’s Chorus. These groups often play outdoor concerts at the Wing Park Bandshell during the summer months. There are also a number of theater companies in the city that put on performances throughout the year. These include Janus Theatre Company, Elgin Theatre Company, the Independent Players, Children’s Theatre of Elgin, Fox Valley Youth Theatre, and Nothing Special Productions. Many of these performances are held at the Hemmens Cultural Center and the Elgin Community College’s Visual and Performing Arts Center.

For those who are more interested in outdoor recreation, the city is home to a number of parks, including two that are over 100 acres. The 112-acre Lords Park includes the Elgin Public Museum and a small zoo with a herd of American bison. The 121-acre Wing Park has a golf course and an outdoor swimming pool. There are also two large nature preserves in the city where you can learn more about the biodiversity of the region.

Transportation

Daily rail service is available between Elgin and Chicago via one of the city’s three Metra stops. Local bus services are provided by Pace, which operates 12 bus routes throughout the city. All of these routes can be accessed at the Elgin Transportation Center.