Ely, MN

Minnesota

Ely is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 3,239. Residents earn $46,042 per year, which is 39% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
3,239 Population 1,109/sq mi density
$46,042 Median Income $33,032 per capita
$150,800 Home Value $267,318 Zillow
$627 Median Rent
39°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$46,042 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$150,800 home value, $627/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
B+
Education
3.7 / 5.0
34.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,042
39% lower than US avg
Home Value $150,800
47% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 34.1%
1% higher than US avg
Median Rent $627
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.1%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.0%
68% lower than US avg

How Ely Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,239
Median Age50.7 yrs
Density1,109/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B+
Median Income$46,042
Per Capita$33,032
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty4.0%
County GDP$565M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$150,800
Rent$627
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$267,318

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property1,592/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary203/100K

Health

Obesity37.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.5%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp39°F
AQI36 (Good)
Elevation1,448 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+34.1%
High School+90.0%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 51%
Commute15 min
EV Stations4
Libraries2

Is Ely a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ely receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Ely offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ely is $46,042, 39% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. Only 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ely is $150,800, 47% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $627 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Ely is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,592 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 34.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 90.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Ely has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F. Winters average 6°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Ely has a population of 3,239 with a density of 1,109 people per square mile. The median age is 50.7 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.8%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 2.2% Black.

Population

3,239
Total Population
1,109
People / sq mi
50.7yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
2.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.3%
Female 51.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Ely vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.1%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.9%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ely vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ely is $46,042, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Ely vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,042
39% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,032
Avg Weekly Wage$1,047
IRS Avg AGI$69,182

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.0%
68% below US avg
Establishments (County)378
County GDP$565M

Business (County)

Restaurants71
Healthcare32
Retail53
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,145
18% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.75%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.7 min
Work from Home6.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Ely is $150,800, 47% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $627 (46% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $267,318.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$150,800
47% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$267,318

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$627
46% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$809
1 Bedroom$899
2 Bedrooms$1,125
3 Bedrooms$1,483
4 Bedrooms$1,698

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied63.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,145
18% above US avg
Effective Rate2.75%
In Ely, 37.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.5% report depression. 23.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ely vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.1%
16% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure28.7%
Asthma10.9%
COPD6.0%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.8%
Physical Inactivity23.8%
Depression26.5%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.9%
Checkup Rate72.5%
Premature Death4,750/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access80.3%
Healthcare Facilities32
Ely has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,592 per 100,000 (19% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Ely vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,592.4/100K
19% below US avg
Burglary202.7/100K
Theft1,331.8/100K
Vehicle Theft57.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Ely has an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 6°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

6°F Jan (-14°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average38.6°F
29% below US avg
January Average6°F (-14°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,448 ft (441 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.6 km²)
Population Density1,109/sq mi
Coordinates47.9056°N, 91.8507°W
County FIPS27075
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 34.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (1% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 3.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.1%
D 51%

Winner: Democrat by 3.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+34.1%
1% above US avg
High School+90.0%
School Test Score6.08
B+ Education Grade (3.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,109/sq mi
Total Area2.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities32
Restaurants71
Retail Stores53

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.7 min
Work from Home6.3%

Nearby Cities

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