Wells, Nevada Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wells, Nevada had a total population of 1,352, the 55th largest city in Nevada, with a median household income of $107,454, which is 37% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Nevada.
- Only 9.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Wells Quick Facts
How Wells 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 | 1,184 | 1,352 | +14.2% |
| Median household income | $75,962 | $107,454 | +41.5% |
| Median home value | $213,500 | $205,300 | -3.8% |
How Wells 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 69 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wells Rankings in Nevada
Explore Nevada Rankings
Other Cities in Elko County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elko | 20,696 | $79,036 | 13.8% | $309,100 |
| Spring Creek | 14,739 | $105,154 | 7.3% | $360,600 |
| West Wendover | 4,514 | $49,013 | 7.4% | $139,700 |
| Carlin | 2,088 | $60,898 | 6.5% | $179,700 |
| Jackpot | 1,415 | N/A | 3.0% | $157,900 |
| Osino | 1,341 | $92,756 | 1.0% | $106,300 |
| Owyhee | 647 | $54,000 | 31.5% | $119,300 |
| Montello | 80 | N/A | 32.5% | N/A |
| Mountain City | 16 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wells
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | 1,415 | N/A | $157,900 | 16.2% | 3.0% |
| Osino | 1,341 | $92,756 | $106,300 | 3.1% | 1.0% |
| Genoa | 1,284 | $121,981 | $1,003,200 | 50.2% | 7.4% |
| East Valley | 1,283 | $125,417 | $874,300 | 38.2% | 4.9% |
| Caliente | 1,146 | N/A | $189,800 | 21.9% | 4.6% |
Population Overview
Wells is a small community located in Nevada, within Elko County. The total population is 1,352. It ranks as the 55th most populous out of 123 Census-designated places in Nevada.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wells is 36.7 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 28.0% of the population under 18, Wells has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wells is $107,454. This is 37% higher than the state median of $78,260. It is also 33% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 71% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 7.0%. The median home value is $205,300. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $435,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Wells is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 60.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wells is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.5%. The Black or African American population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
9.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 27.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 70.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wells, Nevada 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 Nevada state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 123 Census-designated places in Nevada. 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 Wells, Nevada?
Wells, Nevada has a population of 1,352 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wells, NV?
The median household income in Wells is $107,454, which is 33% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wells, NV?
The poverty rate in Wells is 21.3%. This means approximately 288 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wells, Nevada?
Wells's population is 47.9% White, 3.4% Black, 32.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wells, NV?
The median home value in Wells is $205,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Wells, Nevada?
9.9% of adults (25+) in Wells hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.