Ely city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Ely city, Minnesota has a total population of 3,239, the 207th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $46,042, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Ely city Quick Facts
How Ely city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ely city Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in St. Louis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth city | 86,863 | $66,263 | 17.2% | $225,700 |
| Hibbing city | 16,100 | $55,463 | 14.2% | $123,900 |
| Hermantown city | 10,192 | $92,026 | 5.1% | $374,000 |
| Virginia city | 8,362 | $48,321 | 23.2% | $117,500 |
| Chisholm city | 4,731 | $54,815 | 11.2% | $108,100 |
| Rice Lake city | 4,120 | $95,347 | 6.8% | $283,700 |
| Eveleth city | 3,470 | $47,721 | 19.0% | $91,800 |
| Proctor city | 3,102 | $80,913 | 5.3% | $219,500 |
| Mountain Iron city | 2,865 | $81,607 | 9.3% | $180,700 |
| Hoyt Lakes city | 2,074 | $64,514 | 10.1% | $90,700 |
Cities Similar to Ely city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annandale city | 3,365 | $50,536 | $195,100 | 24.8% | 14.4% |
| Eveleth city | 3,470 | $47,721 | $91,800 | 19.3% | 19.0% |
| Pine City city | 3,339 | $51,654 | $181,800 | 16.1% | 12.1% |
| Milaca city | 3,033 | $49,063 | $184,900 | 17.3% | 17.0% |
| Perham city | 3,577 | $47,088 | $186,000 | 28.7% | 19.5% |
Population Overview
Ely city is a small community located in Minnesota, within St. Louis County. The total population is 3,239. It ranks as the 207th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ely city is 50.7 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 8.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ely city is $46,042. This is 47% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 72% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $150,800. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 63.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ely city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.2%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 6.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 6.2%.
Education
34.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ely city, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 913 Census-designated places in Minnesota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ely city, Minnesota?
Ely city, Minnesota has a population of 3,239 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ely city, MN?
The median household income in Ely city is $46,042, which is 41% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Ely city, MN?
The poverty rate in Ely city is 15.9%. This means approximately 467 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ely city, Minnesota?
Ely city's population is 91.8% White, 2.2% Black, 2.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ely city, MN?
The median home value in Ely city is $150,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Ely city, Minnesota?
34.1% of adults (25+) in Ely city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.