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Nelson, MN
Full City Profile · Minnesota · Douglas County County
3.0
/5.0
B
Good
113
Population
171/sq mi density
$52,708
Median Income
$32,851 per capita
$156,700
Home Value
$319,385 Zillow
$917
Median Rent
43.9% income on rent
43°F
Avg Temperature
276 sunny days/yr
222
Violent Crime/100K
3,748 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$52,708 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$156,700 home value, $917/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
222 violent crimes/100K
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Nelson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 276 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 24.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-12°C)
71°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.5°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 11°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,366 ft (416 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 171/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8865°N, 95.2649°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Douglas County County |
| Nearest Airport | St Cloud Regional (STC) 63 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 44.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 22.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 2.7 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.8 in |
Nelson has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 11°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (0.7").