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CITY

Nelson

Wisconsin · 314 residents (2025 est.) · 1.353 sq mi
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The short version

Nelson has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $70,625. Population has declined 4% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $164,200.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 90%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
381
−4%since 2000
from 395 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
282 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 292 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.9
Unchangedsince 2000
from 38.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:314 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2933273613954291990201020202024Nelson
2024381
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$70,625
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,833 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,244
+102%since 2000
from $14,958 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
46.4%
+34.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.370
+1%since 2010
from 0.368 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade22.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance9.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction6.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical6.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Education & health services3.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services1.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$164,200
+90%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$972
+69%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $316 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
69.5%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 71.8% in 2000
30.5% rent
Vacancy rate
7.4%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.0%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 32.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.1%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 31.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.3
+51%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
76
RELATED:See current rent listings in Nelson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99%(391)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(1)
Asian0.5%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.9%(7)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.2%(359)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(10)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.1%(12)
Diversity Score13.8%(53)
Diversity Score
14
+630%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.6%
+12.9 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.6%
+19.0 ptssince 2000
from 76.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.9 min
+19%since 2000
from 19.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 78.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.4%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.7%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
2.7%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.6%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−4.8 ptssince 2011
from 4.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.0%
−12.2 ptssince 2011
from 65.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.4%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.2%
−12.5 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.1%
−10.8 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
Female
54.9%
+10.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.9%
−48.2 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.0%
+3.4 ptssince 2012
from 11.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.5%
−81.0 ptssince 2013
from 85.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.7%
+14.7 ptssince 2017
from 76.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.1%
+2.5 ptssince 2016
from 96.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2016
from 3.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Nelson, Wisconsin?

Nelson, Wisconsin has about 381 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Nelson, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Nelson, Wisconsin earns about $70,625 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Nelson, Wisconsin expensive?

In Nelson, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $164,200, and the typical rent is about $972 a month.

How educated are people in Nelson, Wisconsin?

About 27.6% of adults age 25 and over in Nelson, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Nelson, Wisconsin?

About 14.4% of people in Nelson, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Nelson, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Nelson, Wisconsin has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 10 residents, a change of about -3 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 →

Nelson, Wisconsin: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy