Ely, MN

Full City Profile · Minnesota · Lake County County

3.3 /5.0
B Good
3,239 Population 1,109/sq mi density
$46,042 Median Income $33,032 per capita
$150,800 Home Value $285,200 Zillow
$627 Median Rent 33.4% income on rent
39°F Avg Temperature
125 Violent Crime/100K 716 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$46,042 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$150,800 home value, $627/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
125 violent crimes/100K
B+
Education
3.7 / 5.0
34.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Ely has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 6°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.3 inches. The area receives 64.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

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)

Geography

Elevation1,448 ft (441 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.1 km²)
Population Density1,109/sq mi
Coordinates47.9056°N, 91.8507°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyLake County County
Nearest AirportRange Regional (HIB)
58 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 31.3"
18% below US avg
Snowfall 64.6"
Wettest Month (Sep) 4.82"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.79"

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood
Good Days %90.2%
Unhealthy Days1

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0389 ppm
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)5.0 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score33.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability43.5 / 100
Community Resilience98.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake No Rating
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Coastal Flood Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

1 earthquake (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M2.7. Most recent: M2.7 on Mar 19, 2018.

Mar 19, 2018 75 km ESE of Atikokan, Canada M2.7 116 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

37 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 17 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 34 km 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 23 km 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 98 km 2
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 81 km 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF2 35 km 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF2 7 km 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF2 38 km 0
Sep 6, 1959 EF2 92 km 0
Jul 17, 2019 EF1 75 km 0
Jul 6, 2017 EF1 67 km 0
Jun 19, 2016 EF1 96 km 0
Jul 7, 1988 EF1 27 km 0
Sep 5, 1987 EF1 61 km 0
Jun 12, 1980 EF1 49 km 0
Aug 14, 1978 EF1 5 km 0
Jun 12, 1976 EF1 96 km 0
Apr 14, 1976 EF1 22 km 0
Aug 25, 1974 EF1 82 km 0
Aug 9, 1971 EF1 75 km 0
Jun 19, 1971 EF1 76 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: PAGAMI CREEK (85,116 ac, 2011).

Year Name Acres Distance
2011 PAGAMI CREEK 85,116 42 km
2007 HAM LAKE 70,606 86 km
2021 GREENWOOD 28,255 41 km
2006 CAVITY LAKE 26,812 71 km
1995 SAG CORRIDOR 13,842 87 km
2005 WEST ZONE RX BURN 9,523 30 km
1996 WHITEFEATHER LAKE 4,286 28 km
1996 SOUTH TEMPERANCE 4,192 84 km
1992 UNNAMED 4,053 39 km
2006 FAMINE LAKE 4,012 83 km
1995 LITTLE GABBRO 3,145 21 km
2010 KEK SPIDER 302 3,039 52 km
2006 TURTLE LAKE 2,167 25 km
2000 UNNAMED 1,874 54 km
2006 REDEYE 1,613 97 km
1992 UNNAMED 1,581 43 km
2021 JOHN EK 1,421 63 km
1995 WINCHELL 1,226 93 km
2005 ALPINE LAKE 1,169 72 km
2010 MEEDS LAKE 1,144 97 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 6°F (-14°C) 1.1 in Coldest
February 11°F (-12°C) 0.8 in Driest
March 25°F (-4°C) 1.3 in
April 38°F (3°C) 2.3 in
May 52°F (11°C) 3.0 in
June 61°F (16°C) 4.2 in
July 67°F (19°C) 4.5 in Warmest
August 65°F (18°C) 3.4 in
September 56°F (13°C) 4.8 in Wettest
October 42°F (6°C) 2.9 in
November 27°F (-3°C) 1.7 in
December 13°F (-11°C) 1.3 in

Ely has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 6°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.3 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.8") and February the driest (0.8").

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