Elgin is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of Ashburton, one of 21 residential suburbs which form the wider region. Elgin is the 8th largest suburb of Ashburton in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. Elgin provides a range of housing stock, with the earliest residential housing recorded in the area constructed between 1890 - 1899. The majority of the residential housing stock in the locality was constructed between 2000 - 2009. Residential housing stock in Elgin is made up of approximately 3% residential housing and 97% lifestyle properties.