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Nelson, MN

Minnesota · Douglas County

Nelson is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 113. Residents earn $52,708 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
113 Population 171/sq mi density
$52,708 Median Income $32,851 per capita
$156,700 Home Value
$917 Median Rent 43.9% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$52,708 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$156,700 home value, $917/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,708
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $156,700
44% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.6%
69% lower than US avg
Median Rent $917
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.1%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.3%
7% higher than US avg

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

People

Population113
Median Age47.8 yrs
Density171/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans93.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$52,708
Per Capita$32,851
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty13.3%
County GDP$2,860M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$156,700
Rent$917
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units55
Rent Burden43.9%

Health

Obesity34.1%
Uninsured6.9%
Smoking13.2%
Depression24.9%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F (6°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain24.1 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation1,366 ft (416 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.6%
High School+98.8%
Graduate+1.6%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute29 min
Broadband65.0%
Libraries1

Is Nelson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Nelson receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Nelson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Nelson is $52,708, 30% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 13.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Nelson is $156,700, 44% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $917 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 98.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Nelson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 24.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Nelson has a population of 113 with a density of 171 people per square mile. The median age is 47.8 years, 23% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.6%), with 2.7% Hispanic.

Population

113
Total Population
171
People / sq mi
47.8yrs
Median Age
23% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.6%
Female 43.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Nelson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.9%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.1%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Nelson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Nelson is $52,708, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Nelson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,708
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,851
Avg Weekly Wage$1,097
IRS Avg AGI$83,113

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.3%
7% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,499
County GDP$2,860M

Business (County)

Restaurants124
Healthcare155
Retail216
Manufacturing87

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,084
45% above US avg
Cost of Living98.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate3.24%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.9 min
Drive Alone87.0%
Public Transit1.5%
Work from Home7.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Nelson is $156,700, 44% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $917 (21% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$156,700
44% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$917
21% below US avg
Rent Burden43.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied50.8%
Housing Units55
Median Year Built1974

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,084
45% above US avg
Effective Rate3.24%
In Nelson, 34.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.9% of residents lack health insurance. 13.2% are current smokers. 24.9% report depression. 19.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.1%
6% above US avg
Diabetes8.1%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure25.7%
Asthma9.7%
COPD4.4%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.2%
6% below US avg
Binge Drinking21.1%
Physical Inactivity19.6%
Depression24.9%
Mental Distress15.4%
Physical Distress10.1%
Short Sleep29.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.8%
Uninsured6.9%
20% below US avg
Primary Care1:892
Dentists1:1,322
Mental Health1:408
Checkup Rate72.0%
Dental Visits68.7%
Premature Death6,113/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access74.7%
Healthcare Facilities155
Nelson has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 24.1 inches. The area enjoys 276 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average42.5°F
21% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall24.1 inches
37% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,366 ft (416 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density171/sq mi
Coordinates45.8865°N, 95.2649°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyDouglas County County
County FIPS27041
Nelson is located in Douglas County County. It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 10.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35.1-point margin. 65.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.9%
D 31.7%

Winner: Republican by 35.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.6%
69% below US avg
High School+98.8%
Graduate Degree+1.6%
School Test Score6.08
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density171/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi
CountyDouglas County County

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access65.0%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities155
Restaurants124
Retail Stores216

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.9 min
Drive Alone87.0%
Public Transit1.5%
Work from Home7.2%

Nearby Cities

Alexandria, MN 14,579 pop · 5.4 mi Osakis, MN 1,667 pop · 5.6 mi Glenwood, MN 2,648 pop · 16.4 mi Sauk Centre, MN 4,589 pop · 18.3 mi Parkers Prairie, MN 1,089 pop · 18.7 mi Long Prairie, MN 3,683 pop · 20.3 mi Starbuck, MN 1,307 pop · 23.0 mi Melrose, MN 3,608 pop · 26.1 mi Morris, MN 5,092 pop · 37.2 mi Albany, MN 2,800 pop · 38.3 mi Wadena, MN 4,361 pop · 39.3 mi Staples, MN 2,359 pop · 39.9 mi Benson, MN 3,449 pop · 42.8 mi New London, MN 1,156 pop · 43.5 mi
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