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CITY · 2010 ACS

Ely

Minnesota · 3,460 residents · 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 $31,905. Population has declined 7% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $93,700. With a median age of 45.3, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 44% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 45.3
US median: 37.2
Average education
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,460
−7%since 2000
from 3,724 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,183 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 1,274 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
45.3
+11%since 2000
from 40.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K4K4K4K1990201020202024Ely
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,905
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,615 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,325
+32%since 2000
from $16,855 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
11.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
17.5%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 14.5% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.488
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information12.1%
US avg: 11.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Construction4.3%
US avg: 1.4%
Retail trade3.3%
US avg: 10.9%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.9%
Manufacturing1.7%
US avg: 0.5%
Finance & insurance0.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical0.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$93,700
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$470
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $375 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
35.0%
−36.3 ptssince 2000
from 71.4% in 2000
34.6% rent
Vacancy rate
17.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
26.7%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 23.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
52.9%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 58.5% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.9
+42%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic95.1%(3,289)
Black0.9%(32)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(39)
Asian0.7%(23)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score6.8%(236)
Diversity Score
7
+58%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.0%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 22.0% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
92.3%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 86.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.9 min
−25%since 2000
from 17.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
72.6%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 69.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
9.5%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
12.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.4%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
24.6%
−36.5 ptssince 2009
from 61.1% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
49.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
14.0%
−36.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare Ely to nearby cities

ELY VS
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Income$51,720+62%
Home value$120,600+29%
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ELY VS
Hibbing
Income$55,789+75%
Home value$130,200+39%
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ELY VS
Hermantown
Income$90,849+185%
Home value$382,300+308%
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ELY VS
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Income$68,807+116%
Home value$242,700+159%
Population88,330+2634%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Ely, Minnesota?

Ely, Minnesota has about 3,460 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ely, Minnesota?

The typical household in Ely, Minnesota earns about $31,905 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 $93,700, and the typical rent is about $470 a month.

How educated are people in Ely, Minnesota?

About 26.0% 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 17.5% 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 508 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

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

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