City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Nelson, MN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Nelson - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

113
Residents
$52,708
Median income
$156,700
Median home
$991
Median rent (state)

Nelson - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Nelson lands in the 24th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

24th
percentile, household income
29th
percentile, home value
19th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Nelson, MN

113 people live in Nelson, Minnesota - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Nelson households earn a median of $52,708 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 0.0%. Nelson's housing stock carries a median value of $156,700, and the median resident age is 47.8 years. About 10.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 73.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Minnesota at 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $991 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Minnesota run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 44.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

113 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$52,708 /yr

Poverty 0.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Nelson compare to other US cities?

Here's how Nelson stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 29% pricier than other cities
Median rent 19% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Nelson against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Minnesota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Minnesota-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Nelson near the bottom of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Nelson ranks #693 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Nelson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#633 of 775
18th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#493 of 785
35th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#435 of 774
44th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#693 of 785
0th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#669 of 784
14th percentile in Minnesota

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Minnesota only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

24thIncome percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Nelson's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$156,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 71% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Nelson $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Nelson, MN Nelson, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Nelson, MN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Nelson, MN median $52,708/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Nelson, MN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Nelson, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 73.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
113
Median Income
$52,708
Median Home Value
$156,700
Median Age
47.8
Poverty Rate
0.0%
Labor force participation
73.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.6%

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
180 residents182 residents184 residents186 residents188 residents 202020212022202320242025 181 residents 186 residents ▲ +2.8%
Nelson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
87.0%
Carpool
2.9%
Public Transit
1.4%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
7.2%
Other
1.5%

Based on 69 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Minnesota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Minnesota state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Minnesota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Nelson sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$991/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
44.3 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Trommald
113 people
Darfur
112 people
Lastrup
112 people
Coates
111 people
Grasston
116 people
Solway
116 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Nelson's 113 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Goodnews Bay, AK
113 people
Kaibab, AZ
113 people
Poplar Grove, AR
113 people
Mabie, CA
113 people
Mountain Meadows, CA
113 people
Nicasio, CA
113 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Nelson's $52,708 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Santa Rosa, AZ
$52,708 median income
Dustin Acres, CA
$52,708 median income
Evans Mills, NY
$52,708 median income
Vanderbilt, PA
$52,708 median income
Oblong, IL
$52,702 median income
Holiday Island, AR
$52,700 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Nelson, MN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Nelson, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.6% White 95.6% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 2.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.8% Two or more races 0.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Nelson compares to nearby Minnesota cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Nelson (this city) 113 $52,708
Trommald 113 $52,667
Darfur 112 $62,500
Lastrup 112 $65,000
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Nelson, MN?

What is the population of Nelson, MN? +

Nelson, MN has a population of 113 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Nelson, MN? +

Nelson households earn a median of $52,708 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Nelson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Nelson; the closest available measure is the Minnesota state average, a cost of living index of 98.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Minnesota vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Nelson, MN? +

Nelson's median home value sits at $156,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.