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CITY

Nelson

Minnesota · 186 residents (2025 est.) · 0.661 sq mi
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The short version

Nelson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $57,188. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $157,500. With a median age of 48.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 36% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 48.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
4% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 38%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
155
−10%since 2000
from 172 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
234 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 260 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
48.1
+36%since 2000
from 35.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:186 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
861191521842171990201020202024Nelson
2024155
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,188
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,375 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,913
+138%since 2000
from $13,419 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
28.6%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.0%
−14.0 ptssince 2000
from 23.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.366
+23%since 2010
from 0.299 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade22.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade3%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$157,500
+38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,000
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $430 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
54.5%
−22.2 ptssince 2000
from 76.7% in 2000
45.5% rent
Vacancy rate
1.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
9.5%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
60.0%
+42.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.8
+51%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
37
RELATED:See current rent listings in Nelson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.7%(168)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(1)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.5%(3)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.9%(144)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino5.2%(8)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.9%(3)
Diversity Score16.7%(26)
Diversity Score
17
+1038%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
3.5%
−4.2 ptssince 2000
from 7.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.7%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 86.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.0 min
+179%since 2000
from 8.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
93.8%
+12.3 ptssince 2009
from 81.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.2%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−12.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.4%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 4.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
75.7%
−9.3 ptssince 2011
from 85.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.1%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.3%
−23.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
56.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
Female
43.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.8%
−51.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.1%
−2.6 ptssince 2012
from 18.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.9%
−79.5 ptssince 2013
from 83.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.9%
+23.8 ptssince 2017
from 67.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+5.2 ptssince 2016
from 94.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−5.2 ptssince 2016
from 5.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Nelson, Minnesota?

Nelson, Minnesota has about 155 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Nelson, Minnesota?

The typical household in Nelson, Minnesota earns about $57,188 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Nelson, Minnesota expensive?

In Nelson, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $157,500, and the typical rent is about $1,000 a month.

How educated are people in Nelson, Minnesota?

About 3.5% of adults age 25 and over in Nelson, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Nelson, Minnesota?

About 9.0% of people in Nelson, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Nelson, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Nelson, Minnesota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 14 residents, a change of about -8 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 →