Nelson, WI

Wisconsin

Nelson is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 351. Residents earn $65,625 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
351 Population 260/sq mi density
$65,625 Median Income $29,308 per capita
$154,200 Home Value $244,871 Zillow
$786 Median Rent 28.9% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$65,625 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$154,200 home value, $786/mo rent
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
28.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,625
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $154,200
45% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.1%
17% lower than US avg
Median Rent $786
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.2%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.0%
44% lower than US avg

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

People

Population351
Median Age41.5 yrs
Density260/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans9.7%

Economy

A
Median Income$65,625
Per Capita$29,308
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty7.0%
County GDP$731M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$154,200
Rent$786
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$244,871
Housing Units165
Rent Burden28.9%

Health

Obesity39.2%
Uninsured8.2%
Smoking15.9%
Depression25.4%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain37.2 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation1,208 ft (368 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.1%
High School+94.9%
Graduate+3.4%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 34%
Commute22 min
Broadband83.8%
Libraries2

Is Nelson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Nelson receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Nelson stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Nelson is $65,625, 13% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Nelson is $154,200, 45% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $786 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

28.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Nelson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.2 inches, including 37.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Nelson has a population of 351 with a density of 260 people per square mile. The median age is 41.5 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.2%), with 3.7% Hispanic.

Population

351
Total Population
260
People / sq mi
41.5yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.7%
Female 53.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Nelson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Nelson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Nelson is $65,625, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Nelson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,625
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,308
Avg Weekly Wage$895
IRS Avg AGI$63,302

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.0%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)401
County GDP$731M

Business (County)

Restaurants46
Healthcare24
Retail32
Manufacturing18

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,359
25% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.4 min
Drive Alone80.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Nelson is $154,200, 45% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $786 (32% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $244,871.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$154,200
45% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$244,871

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$786
32% below US avg
Rent Burden28.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$797
1 Bedroom$872
2 Bedrooms$1,097
3 Bedrooms$1,405
4 Bedrooms$1,572

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.3%
Housing Units165
Median Year Built1970

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,359
25% above US avg
Effective Rate2.83%
In Nelson, 39.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.2% of residents lack health insurance. 15.9% are current smokers. 25.4% report depression. 27.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.2%
22% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure29.0%
Asthma11.0%
COPD6.2%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.9%
14% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.4%
Physical Inactivity27.3%
Depression25.4%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress13.0%
Short Sleep35.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.6%
Uninsured8.2%
5% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.1%
Dental Visits63.6%
Premature Death5,033/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access64.1%
Healthcare Facilities24
Nelson has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.2 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.8°F
15% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.2 inches
2% below US avg
Snowfall37.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,208 ft (368 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density260/sq mi
Coordinates44.4196°N, 91.9973°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55011
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 28.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (17% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.3-point margin. 83.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.4%
D 34.2%

Winner: Republican by 30.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.1%
17% below US avg
High School+94.9%
Graduate Degree+3.4%
School Test Score5.81
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density260/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.8%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities24
Restaurants46
Retail Stores32

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.4 min
Drive Alone80.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.5%

Nearby Cities

Wabasha, MN 2,569 pop · 4.1 mi Lake City, MN 5,021 pop · 14.1 mi Durand, WI 1,735 pop · 14.1 mi Mondovi, WI 2,843 pop · 19.3 mi Plainview, MN 3,501 pop · 19.6 mi Elgin, MN 1,147 pop · 23.8 mi Arcadia, WI 3,720 pop · 27.6 mi Goodview, MN 4,104 pop · 28.0 mi Independence, WI 1,477 pop · 29.5 mi Winona, MN 25,998 pop · 30.2 mi Lewiston, MN 1,680 pop · 30.9 mi Goodhue, MN 1,261 pop · 31.0 mi St. Charles, MN 4,021 pop · 31.3 mi Strum, WI 1,119 pop · 31.4 mi
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