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CITY

Ely

Minnesota · 3,231 residents (2025 est.) · 2.924 sq mi
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The short version

Ely has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,901. Population has declined 13% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $157,300. With a median age of 52.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 51% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 52.1
US median: 38.9
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 51%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,240
−13%since 2000
from 3,724 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,108 / sq mi
−13%since 2000
from 1,274 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
52.1
+28%since 2000
from 40.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,231 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K4K4K4K1990201020202024Ely
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,901
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,615 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,996
+96%since 2000
from $16,855 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.9%
+24.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.443
−9%since 2010
from 0.488 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade9.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Information7.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5%
US avg: 1.6%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical2.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing2.5%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction2.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$157,300
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$627
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $375 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
63.4%
−8.0 ptssince 2000
from 71.4% in 2000
36.6% rent
Vacancy rate
9.9%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 23.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
57.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 58.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
+73%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
48
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ely on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.6%(3,597)
Black0.9%(32)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(25)
Asian0.2%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.3%(161)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.9%(3,011)
Black2%(66)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(52)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.4%(111)
Diversity Score16.8%(545)
Diversity Score
17
+290%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.6%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 22.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.0%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 86.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.3 min
−17%since 2000
from 17.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
56.0%
−13.6 ptssince 2009
from 69.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.3%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
20.4%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
2.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
14.9%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.5%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 4.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.3%
−1.2 ptssince 2011
from 56.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
26.1%
+13.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.2%
−23.9 ptssince 2009
from 61.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
50.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
1.9%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.6%
−41.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2012
from 15.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.2%
−83.1 ptssince 2013
from 91.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.0%
+9.7 ptssince 2017
from 79.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 96.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 1.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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ELY VS
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ELY VS
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ELY VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Ely, Minnesota?

Ely, Minnesota has about 3,240 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ely, Minnesota?

The typical household in Ely, Minnesota earns about $43,901 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ely, Minnesota expensive?

In Ely, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $157,300, and the typical rent is about $627 a month.

How educated are people in Ely, Minnesota?

About 31.6% of adults age 25 and over in Ely, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ely, Minnesota?

About 13.9% of people in Ely, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ely, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Ely, Minnesota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 728 residents, a change of about -18 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →