Living in Nelson, Minnesota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Nelson · Census data 2020–2024
Nelson has 155 residents with a median age of 48.1. The median household income is $57,188 (36% lower than the Minnesota median), the median home value is $157,500, the median rent is $1,000/month.
Nelson is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Nelson at a glance
- Population
- 155
- Median age
- 48.1State: 38.8
- Median household income
- $57,188State: $89,062
- Median home value
- $157,500State: $329,300
- Median rent
- $1,000/moState: $1,280
- Homeowners
- 54.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 3.5%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Nelson a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 52% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.9%; a poverty rate of 9%.
Cons: Median household income 36% lower than the Minnesota median; an average commute of 25 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Nelson
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Nelson the median home value is $157,500, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,000 per month, which is 43.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,163 a month in housing costs.
Nelson median household income
The median household income in Nelson is $57,188 and the income per person is $31,913. 9% of residents live below the poverty line (Minnesota: 9.3%).
Housing in Nelson: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 78
- Owner-occupied
- 54.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 45.5%
- Vacant
- 1.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 2.01
Nelson demographics
- Population
- 155
- Median age
- 48.1
- Under 18
- 20%
- 65 and older
- 10.3%
- Households
- 77
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 4.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Nelson ›
Education in Nelson
3.5% of adults 25 and older in Nelson have a bachelor's degree or higher (Minnesota: 39.4%), and 0.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Nelson
- Unemployment rate
- 3.9%State: 4.1%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 4.2%
- Drive alone
- 93.8%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.9%
Nelson vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson | 155 | $57,188 | $157,500 | $1,000 |
| Alexandria | 14,735 | $61,374 | $275,300 | $934 |
| Osakis | 1,623 | $50,833 | $173,500 | $477 |
| Carlos | 512 | $69,792 | $204,500 | $925 |
| Forada | 161 | $80,500 | $288,600 | $1,094 |
| Miltona | 418 | $62,917 | $184,100 | $858 |
| Garfield | 282 | $56,696 | $166,600 | $481 |
| Villard | 236 | $56,000 | $152,400 | $1,097 |
| Glenwood | 2,633 | $42,188 | $179,400 | $865 |
More for people moving to Nelson
Nelson ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Nelson: FAQ
What is the median household income in Nelson, MN?
The median household income in Nelson is $57,188, 36% lower than the Minnesota median of $89,062 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Nelson?
The median home value in Nelson is $157,500, compared with $329,300 in Minnesota.
How much is rent in Nelson?
The median gross rent in Nelson is $1,000 per month, about 43.3% of household income.
Is Nelson, MN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 52% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.9%; a poverty rate of 9%. Minuses: median household income 36% lower than the Minnesota median; an average commute of 25 minutes.
What is the median age in Nelson?
The median age in Nelson is 48.1 years (Minnesota: 38.8).
How long is the commute in Nelson?
The average commute to work in Nelson is 25 minutes; 4.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Nelson?
The unemployment rate in Nelson is 3.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Nelson?
3.5% of adults in Nelson have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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