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  • Location
  • Elgin is located 38 miles northwest of Chicago along the Fox River, mostly in Kane County, with a portion in Cook County.
  • Demographics
  • As of the 2020 census, Elgin had a total population of 114,797, making it the sixth largest city in Illinois. More than 47% of Elgin’s population identifies as Hispanic / Latino. School District U-46 covers 11 communities in the northwest suburbs, including Elgin, and serves more than 40,000 students in grades pre-K through 12. More than 40% of students are English learners, and the district has a dual language program. The district estimates that more than 30% of its students live through multiple adverse childhood experiences, and approximately 60% of its students are low income.
  • Looking Back
  • Located along the Fox River, Elgin was founded in 1835 by the Gifford brothers. Booming with growth in the late 1800s, the “City in the Suburbs” became an industry hub with the founding of the Borden Milk Company and the Elgin Watch Company, the largest producer of fine watches in the United States. While these industries have since closed, Elgin continues to grow with the redevelopment of the downtown area and a culturally diverse and civically engaged community.
  • History of the Neighborhood Network
  • The Elgin Neighborhood Network was launched in March 2023, with founding support from Nicor Gas Foundation. Alignment Collaborative for Education serves as the “community quarterback” for the Elgin Network.

Elgin Community Vision

As a new Neighborhood Network launched in 2023, Elgin will build its coalition and refine its community vision over the next three years.  

Neighborhood Network in Action

The Elgin Neighborhood Network has promising plans and vision for strengthening their local community, plus they have a high degree of readiness to succeed in implementing the Neighborhood Network model. 

Coalition Highlights

Alignment Collaborative for Education is leading the vision and work of the Elgin Neighborhood Network to address critical student needs in School District U-46, such as increasing early education preparation, building trauma-informed care school cultures, and ensuring students leave high school prepared for the global workforce. 

Hear From Your Neighbors and Supporters

Nancy Coleman

Executive Director, Alignment Collaborative for Education

“The launch of the Elgin Neighborhood Network is a gamechanger for the Elgin community. We are grateful for United Way of Metro Chicago and the Nicor Gas Foundation for believing in our work and joining our strong coalition of community leaders to ensure all people can thrive in Elgin, starting with crucial education and workforce development programming for our youth.”
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