Wells, MN

Minnesota

Wells is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 2,317. Residents earn $58,663 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
2,317 Population 1,109/sq mi density
$58,663 Median Income $31,393 per capita
$93,200 Home Value $136,098 Zillow
$699 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$58,663 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$93,200 home value, $699/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,663
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $93,200
67% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.8%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $699
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.9%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.8%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,317
Median Age41.8 yrs
Density1,109/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A
Median Income$58,663
Per Capita$31,393
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty3.8%
County GDP$788M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$93,200
Rent$699
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$136,098

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property621/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary89/100K

Health

Obesity38.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.1%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain34.5 in/yr
Elevation1,135 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.8%
High School+89.7%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute19 min
Libraries4

Is Wells a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wells receives an overall livability score of 3.5 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, high obesity rates. Wells offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wells is $58,663, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. Only 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wells is $93,200, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $699 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Wells 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 621 per 100,000, 68% below the national average.

Education

19.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Wells experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.5 inches, including 40.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Wells has a population of 2,317 with a density of 1,109 people per square mile. The median age is 41.8 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.1%), with 1.7% Hispanic, 1.3% Black.

Population

2,317
Total Population
1,109
People / sq mi
41.8yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.6%
Female 46.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Wells vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.4%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.6%
73% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wells vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wells is $58,663, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Wells vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,663
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,393
Avg Weekly Wage$998
IRS Avg AGI$64,356

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.8%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)492
County GDP$788M

Business (County)

Restaurants34
Healthcare47
Retail57
Manufacturing31

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,944
16% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.16%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.8 min
Work from Home6.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Wells is $93,200, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $699 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $136,098.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$93,200
67% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$136,098

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$699
40% 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-Occupied76.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,944
16% below US avg
Effective Rate3.16%
In Wells, 38.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.1% report depression. 28.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.9%
21% above US avg
Diabetes10.4%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure30.3%
Asthma10.7%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.5%
Physical Inactivity28.8%
Depression26.1%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress13.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.1%
Checkup Rate71.4%
Premature Death7,137/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access62.5%
Healthcare Facilities47
Wells has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 621 per 100,000 (68% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Wells 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 Property620.6/100K
68% below US avg
Burglary88.7/100K
Theft487.6/100K
Vehicle Theft44.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Wells has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.5°F
16% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.5 inches
9% below US avg
Snowfall40.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,135 ft (346 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²)
Population Density1,109/sq mi
Coordinates43.7432°N, 93.7329°W
County FIPS27043
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 19.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 37.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.8%
D 30.4%

Winner: Republican by 37.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.8%
41% below US avg
High School+89.7%
School Test Score6.08
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,109/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities47
Restaurants34
Retail Stores57

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.8 min
Work from Home6.7%

Nearby Cities

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