City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Wells, MN

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

2,317
Residents
$58,663
Median income
$93,200
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Wells - the verdict

Wells ranks in the 33rd percentile for household income and the 93rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

33rd
percentile, household income
7th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
93rd
percentile, safety
📝 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: Wells, MN

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,317 residents in Wells, a small town within Minnesota. Wells households earn a median of $58,663 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.8%. Typical homes in Wells are valued around $93,200, and the median resident age is 41.8 years. 19.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 59.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits). Wells reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 292.1 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Wells's yearly average temperature at 45.5°F with 34.5 inches of precipitation per year and 40.1 inches of snowfall.

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Minnesota scores 98.6 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $973 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Minnesota run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 45.5 out of 100 (Low).

Population

2,317 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$58,663 /yr

Poverty 3.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Wells compare to other US cities?

Where Wells sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 33% higher than other cities
Home value 7% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 93% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Minnesota, Wells ranks #44 of 229 Minnesota cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Minnesota-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Wells near the bottom of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Wells ranks #531 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Wells only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#548 of 775
29th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#531 of 785
0th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#665 of 774
14th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#495 of 785
37th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#416 of 784
47th 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.

33rdIncome percentile
93rdSafety percentile

33rd percentile nationally for median household income · 93rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wells's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wells's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 72 Avg. percentile National median
Wells's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Wells's home value compares nationally

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

$93,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 93% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Wells $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 - Wells, MN Wells, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wells, 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 Wells, MN median $58,663/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%
Wells, 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 Wells, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.7%

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

Population
2,317
Median Income
$58,663
Median Home Value
$93,200
Median Age
41.8
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Labor force participation
59.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
292.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
250.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
41.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
45.5°F
Annual Precipitation
34.5"
Annual Snowfall
40.1"

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,390 residents2,400 residents2,410 residents2,420 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,406 residents 2,395 residents ▼ -0.5%
Wells's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 4
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.7%
Carpool
4.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
6.4%
Work from Home
6.7%

Based on 1,075 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 Wells sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
45.5 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Arlington
2,298 people
Spring Valley
2,357 people
Excelsior
2,359 people
Staples
2,359 people
Madelia
2,380 people
Crosby
2,253 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wells's 2,317 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Helmetta, NJ
2,317 people
Preston Heights, IL
2,318 people
Lynnwood-Pricedale, PA
2,316 people
Dunkirk, MD
2,319 people
Drumright, OK
2,315 people
Essex Fells, NJ
2,320 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wells's $58,663 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Summerfield, IL
$58,661 median income
Alcester, SD
$58,661 median income
Milesburg, PA
$58,667 median income
Monterey, VA
$58,656 median income
Freelandville, IN
$58,654 median income
Auburn, NE
$58,674 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wells, 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 Wells, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.1% 6.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.7% White 90.1% Black or African American 1.3% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 6.1% 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 Wells 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
Wells (this city) 2,317 $58,663
Arlington 2,298 $66,458
Spring Valley 2,357 $64,500
Excelsior 2,359 $108,611
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wells, MN?

What is the population of Wells, MN? +

Wells, MN counts 2,317 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Wells runs $58,663, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wells? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Wells; 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.

Is Wells, MN safe? +

Wells has a total crime rate of 292.1 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

A typical home in Wells is worth $93,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Wells? +

The average annual temperature in Wells runs 45.5°F, 34.5 inches of precipitation, and 40.1 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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.