Nelson, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nelson, Wisconsin had a total population of 381, the 582nd largest village in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $70,625, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Nelson Quick Facts
How Nelson 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 | 351 | 381 | +8.5% |
| Median household income | $65,625 | $70,625 | +7.6% |
| Median home value | $154,200 | $164,200 | +6.5% |
How Nelson 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: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Nelson Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Buffalo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondovi | 2,872 | $54,355 | 13.3% | $174,500 |
| Buffalo City | 902 | $60,865 | 8.2% | $182,100 |
| Fountain City | 835 | $51,750 | 11.3% | $169,000 |
| Alma | 788 | $58,368 | 14.3% | $177,900 |
| Cochrane | 516 | $88,542 | 5.1% | $139,700 |
| Gilmanton | 148 | $52,000 | 7.4% | $206,600 |
| Waumandee | 81 | $70,313 | 1.2% | $165,600 |
Cities Similar to Nelson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pound | 379 | $70,714 | $123,300 | 15.5% | 7.6% |
| Maribel | 370 | $74,167 | $191,100 | 21.4% | 6.5% |
| Sobieski | 382 | $62,135 | $330,200 | 7.6% | 0.0% |
| Juda | 390 | $64,135 | $159,800 | 1.2% | 30.0% |
| Clyman | 354 | $71,250 | $178,300 | 6.7% | 12.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 381, Nelson's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Nelson is a small community located in Wisconsin, within Buffalo County. The total population is 381. It ranks as the 582nd most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nelson is 38.9 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Nelson is $70,625. This is 9% lower than the state median of $77,485. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Nelson, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $164,200. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Nelson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Nelson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 8.0%.
Education
27.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 33.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nelson, Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. 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 Nelson, Wisconsin?
Nelson, Wisconsin has a population of 381 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nelson, WI?
The median household income in Nelson is $70,625, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nelson, WI?
The poverty rate in Nelson is 14.4%. This means approximately 54 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nelson, Wisconsin?
Nelson's population is 94.2% White, 0.0% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nelson, WI?
The median home value in Nelson is $164,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Nelson, Wisconsin?
27.6% of adults (25+) in Nelson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.