Ely, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ely, Minnesota had a total population of 3,240, the 207th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $43,901, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Ely Quick Facts
How Ely Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,239 | 3,240 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $46,042 | $43,901 | -4.7% |
| Median home value | $150,800 | $157,300 | +4.3% |
How Ely Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ely Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in St. Louis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | 87,093 | $68,807 | 16.8% | $242,700 |
| Hibbing | 16,057 | $55,789 | 16.2% | $130,200 |
| Hermantown | 10,218 | $90,849 | 5.4% | $382,300 |
| Virginia | 8,332 | $51,720 | 18.0% | $120,600 |
| Chisholm | 4,712 | $50,891 | 14.0% | $109,200 |
| Rice Lake | 4,153 | $89,663 | 7.2% | $309,600 |
| Eveleth | 3,448 | $50,725 | 14.8% | $97,600 |
| Proctor | 3,100 | $67,377 | 5.8% | $224,700 |
| Mountain Iron | 2,860 | $83,293 | 11.5% | $192,800 |
| Hoyt Lakes | 2,064 | $65,764 | 7.3% | $93,300 |
Cities Similar to Ely
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milaca | 3,044 | $49,588 | $203,400 | 15.2% | 16.9% |
| Eveleth | 3,448 | $50,725 | $97,600 | 19.9% | 14.8% |
| Benson | 3,441 | $52,821 | $156,000 | 31.4% | 9.8% |
| Pine City | 3,468 | $52,056 | $186,900 | 17.9% | 12.4% |
| Rush City | 3,295 | $58,760 | $233,100 | 7.9% | 13.3% |
Population Overview
Ely is a small community located in Minnesota, within St. Louis County. The total population is 3,240. It ranks as the 207th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ely is 52.1 years. This is 34% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 7.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.2% 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 is $43,901. This is 51% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $157,300. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $329,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 63.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ely has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.9% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.0%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
31.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ely, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ely, Minnesota?
Ely, Minnesota has a population of 3,240 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ely, MN?
The median household income in Ely is $43,901, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ely, MN?
The poverty rate in Ely is 13.9%. This means approximately 411 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ely, Minnesota?
Ely's population is 92.9% White, 2.0% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ely, MN?
The median home value in Ely is $157,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Ely, Minnesota?
31.6% of adults (25+) in Ely hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.