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CITY · 2020 ACS

Nelson

Minnesota · 182 residents · 0.661 sq mi
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The short version

Nelson has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $53,750. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $116,900. Poverty is rare here, at 5.3% of residents. Households here earn about 27% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
182
+6%since 2000
from 172 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
275 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 260 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.3
+20%since 2000
from 35.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
861191521842171990201020202024Nelson
2024155
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,750
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,375 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,749
+129%since 2000
from $13,419 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.2%
+12.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.3%
−17.8 ptssince 2000
from 23.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade14.5%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade10.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance7.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$116,900
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$958
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $430 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
73.8%
−2.9 ptssince 2000
from 76.7% in 2000
26.2% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+20%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic88.5%(161)
Black0.5%(1)
Hispanic / Latino4.4%(8)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.8%(3)
Diversity Score16.7%(30)
Diversity Score
17
+1033%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.8%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.6%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 86.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
1.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.7 min
+76%since 2000
from 8.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.5%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 81.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.2%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.4%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 4.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
83.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 85.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
12.0%
−40.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.5%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
Female
46.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
Foreign born
3.5%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.0%
−76.4 ptssince 2013
from 83.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Nelson

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Pop 171
Damascus
Pop 200
Mitchell
Pop 166
Oconee
Pop 173
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Head to head

Compare Nelson to nearby cities

NELSON VS
Alexandria
Income$61,374+14%
Home value$275,300+136%
Population15,045+7989%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NELSON VS
Little Falls
Income$47,863−11%
Home value$202,600+73%
Population9,277+4888%
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NELSON VS
Fergus Falls
Income$56,162+4%
Home value$194,000+66%
Population14,246+7559%
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NELSON VS
Willmar
Income$62,280+16%
Home value$198,400+70%
Population22,001+11728%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Nelson, Minnesota?

Nelson, Minnesota has about 182 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Nelson, Minnesota?

The typical household in Nelson, Minnesota earns about $53,750 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 $116,900, and the typical rent is about $958 a month.

How educated are people in Nelson, Minnesota?

About 13.8% 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 5.3% of people in Nelson, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Nelson, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Nelson, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 13 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

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