Ely ZIP Codes — Saint Louis County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Ely, Minnesota and it is 55731. Area code: 218.

ZIP codes

1,606.72

sq mi land

272.38

sq mi water

218

area code

Ely, MN ZIP code map

About Ely, MN

Ely, Minnesota is a charming city nestled in the heart of Saint Louis County. Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, it attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe. The city serves as a gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, making it a popular destination for canoeing, fishing, and hiking.

Location & geography

Ely is located in the northeastern region of Minnesota, approximately 100 miles from the Canadian border. Neighboring cities include Virginia, located about 25 miles to the west, and Hibbing, about 40 miles to the southwest. The city spans a vast land area of 1,606.72 square miles, with a significant water area of 272.38 square miles, characterized by its numerous lakes and rivers, contributing to its stunning landscapes.

Community & economy

The community of Ely is known for its tight-knit, friendly atmosphere and strong connection to nature. Industries such as tourism, recreational services, and logging play a vital role in the local economy, providing jobs and fostering community engagement. Daily life in Ely often revolves around outdoor activities, local events, and a vibrant arts scene, reflecting the city's rich cultural heritage.

Transportation

Ely is served by the Taconite State Trail and is accessible via Minnesota State Highway 1 and 169, enabling easy travel to neighboring towns. The nearest airport is Ely Municipal Airport, which accommodates general aviation flights, while the nearest commercial airports are located in Virginia and Hibbing.

History

Ely was founded in the late 19th century, with its growth largely driven by the mining industry, particularly iron ore extraction. A notable event in the city's history was the establishment of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which safeguarded the area's natural resources and transformed Ely into a tourist destination. Today, Ely celebrates its heritage through events and festivals that highlight its unique cultural narrative.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Ely is that it is home to the International Wolf Center, an organization dedicated to educating the public about wolves and their role in ecosystems. Additionally, Ely hosts an annual Blueberry Art Festival, celebrating local artists and the region's natural bounty.

ZIP codes for Ely, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
55731	Ely	Saint Louis	View map

Demographics & statistics

5,297

Population

57.8

Median age

$61,394

Median household income

$37,714

Per capita income

$198,500

Median home value

$589

Median monthly rent

75.2%

Home ownership

10.5%

Poverty rate

2.1%

Unemployment

4,156

Housing units

38.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

251

15–19

249

133

20–24

133

233

25–34

232

187

35–44

187

212

45–54

210

248

55–59

246

332

60–64

331

559

65–74

556

252

75–84

251

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	546	10.3%
18 and over	4,751	89.7%
65 and over	1,720	32.5%
Median age	57.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 93.2%

Two or more races 2.7%

Hispanic or Latino 1.8%

Black or African American 0.9%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Other race 0.6%

Group	Count	%
White	5,031	93.2%
Two or more races	144	2.7%
Hispanic or Latino	99	1.8%
Black or African American	50	0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native	38	0.7%
Other race	34	0.6%

Household income

Under $10k 8.3%

$10k–$15k 8.0%

$15k–$25k 6.3%

$25k–$35k 7.6%

$35k–$50k 12.8%

$50k–$75k 16.7%

$75k–$100k 13.5%

$100k–$150k 16.3%

$150k–$200k 7.7%

$200k+ 2.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	8.3%
$10k–$15k	8.0%
$15k–$25k	6.3%
$25k–$35k	7.6%
$35k–$50k	12.8%
$50k–$75k	16.7%
$75k–$100k	13.5%
$100k–$150k	16.3%
$150k–$200k	7.7%
$200k+	2.9%
Median income	$61,394

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.9%

$50k–$100k 8.7%

$100k–$150k 15.7%

$150k–$200k 23.2%

$200k–$300k 19.7%

$300k–$500k 19.3%

$500k–$1M 9.3%

$1M+ 1.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$198,500
Median rent / month	$589
Owner occupied	75.2%
Renter occupied	24.8%
Vacant	44.3%
Single-family detached	85.0%
Large apartment buildings	5.3%
Mobile homes	2.3%
Median rooms	5.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.07

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.4%
2000–2009	10.3%
1990–1999	12.0%
1980–1989	9.1%
1970–1979	16.3%
1960–1969	8.8%
1950–1959	9.8%
1940–1949	6.1%
1939 or earlier	25.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.8%
1 bedroom	17.1%
2 bedrooms	36.0%
3 bedrooms	32.7%
4 bedrooms	9.1%
5+ bedrooms	2.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	11.3%
1 vehicle	31.5%
2 vehicles	31.3%
3 or more	25.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.8%
Electricity	17.8%
Propane / LP gas	31.5%
Fuel oil	26.9%
Wood	15.6%
No fuel used	0.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,131	42.1%
Cohabiting couple	165	6.1%
Male householder, no spouse	763	28.4%
Female householder, no spouse	627	23.3%
Households with children under 18	340	12.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,243	46.3%
Average household size	1.86

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	34.0%	26.9%
Married	47.0%	49.4%
Separated	2.7%	0.0%
Widowed	2.1%	10.2%
Divorced	14.1%	13.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.3%

Some HS, no diploma 5.4%

HS graduate 18.7%

Some college, no degree 20.9%

Associate's degree 15.8%

Bachelor's degree 25.9%

Graduate / professional 12.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.4%
Bachelor's or higher	38.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	36	3.8%
Kindergarten	10	1.1%
Elementary school	255	27.1%
High school	240	25.5%
College / grad school	400	42.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.8%

Retail trade 11.4%

Construction 10.3%

Other services 7.7%

Professional & management 7.1%

Agriculture & mining 5.9%

Manufacturing 5.7%

Public administration 5.2%

Finance & real estate 4.6%

Transportation & utilities 3.7%

Information 2.3%

Wholesale trade 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	42.7%
Service	12.6%
Sales & office	20.7%
Natural resources & construction	14.6%
Production & transportation	9.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.0%
Government	18.7%
Self-employed	8.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	64.6%
Carpool	9.1%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	13.6%
Other means	2.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	14.9

Poverty

All people 10.5%

Under 18 years 0.7%

18 and over 11.7%

Married-couple families 1.9%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	51.2%
Retirement income	33.7%
Supplemental Security	2.9%
Cash public assistance	1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.3%
High cholesterol	34.1%
Heart disease	7.7%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	29.8%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	6.4%
Cancer	8.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.3%
No physical activity	20.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.6%
Fair or poor health	12.4%
Poor mental health	12.7%
Poor physical health	10.1%
No health insurance	8.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.8%
Visited dentist	67.0%
Cholesterol screening	91.3%
Teeth loss	10.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	437	9.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.8%
Under 18	0.5%
18–64 years	9.8%
65 and over	25.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	75.9%
Public insurance	46.3%
Uninsured under 19	2.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	5,229	98.7%
Spanish	6	0.1%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	5,214	98.4%
Born in same state	5,171	97.6%
Born in different state	3,340	63.1%
Foreign born	43	0.8%
Naturalized citizen	83	1.6%
Not a US citizen	36	43.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	554	10.5%
Polish	523	9.9%
French	412	7.8%
Arab	98	1.9%
English	68	1.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	62	1.2%
Dutch	57	1.1%
Norwegian	53	1%
Irish	22	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	50.7%
Internet access	89.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Ely, MN have?

Ely, MN has one ZIP code: 55731. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.