Nelson ZIP Codes — Buffalo County, WI

There is one unique ZIP code in Nelson, Wisconsin and it is 54756. Area code: 715.
1
ZIP codes
78.98
sq mi land
10.83
sq mi water
715
area code
Nelson, WI ZIP code map

About Nelson, WI

Nelson, Wisconsin, is a charming city located in the picturesque Buffalo County. Known for its scenic beauty and small-town atmosphere, Nelson offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and community living. With a population that reflects the warmth of its residents, the city serves as a haven for those who appreciate nature and a slower pace of life.

Location & geography

Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River, Nelson is situated approximately 20 miles southwest of Eau Claire and 15 miles northeast of Red Wing, Minnesota. The city spans a land area of 78.98 square miles, complemented by 10.83 square miles of water, providing abundant opportunities for recreational activities. The surrounding terrain is characterized by rolling hills and lush landscapes, making it popular for hiking and fishing.

Community & economy

The community of Nelson is characterized by a tight-knit atmosphere, where residents often engage in local events and activities. While it primarily supports agricultural endeavors, tourism, particularly through its natural attractions, also plays a significant role in the local economy. Daily life in Nelson reflects a strong sense of community, where neighbors know each other and often participate in local gatherings.

Transportation

Access to Nelson is facilitated by Highway 25, which connects the city to other parts of Wisconsin. The nearest airport is the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, located about 30 miles to the north in Eau Claire. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transit for residents and visitors.

History

Nelson, WI, was founded in the mid-19th century as settlers were drawn to the area for its fertile land and proximity to the Mississippi River. Prominent industries initially included agriculture and logging, which significantly shaped the community's growth and economic development. The city has seen notable events that celebrate its rich history and cultural heritage.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Nelson is that it is home to the Nelson Creamery, which has been a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike for its delicious ice cream and dairy products. Additionally, the city offers picturesque views of the Mississippi River, making it a hidden gem for nature enthusiasts.

ZIP codes for Nelson, WI (1)
ZIP code City County Map
54756 Nelson Buffalo View map

Demographics & statistics

947
Population
53.2
Median age
$69,231
Median household income
$36,285
Per capita income
$185,200
Median home value
$716
Median monthly rent
80.3%
Home ownership
8.0%
Poverty rate
3.1%
Unemployment
401
Housing units
24.0%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
31
Under 5
29
19
5–9
18
19
10–14
19
25
15–19
24
14
20–24
13
44
25–34
41
34
35–44
33
75
45–54
72
49
55–59
47
28
60–64
27
91
65–74
86
34
75–84
33
22
85+
20
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1818019.0%
18 and over76781.0%
65 and over28630.2%
Median age53.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.3%
Two or more races 4.3%
Hispanic or Latino 1.8%
Other race 1.7%
GroupCount%
White89092.3%
Two or more races414.3%
Hispanic or Latino171.8%
Other race161.7%

Household income

Under $10k 3.4%
$10k–$15k 1.7%
$15k–$25k 8.5%
$25k–$35k 6.8%
$35k–$50k 10.9%
$50k–$75k 25.2%
$75k–$100k 15.8%
$100k–$150k 19.7%
$150k–$200k 6.3%
$200k+ 1.7%
Range% of households
Under $10k3.4%
$10k–$15k1.7%
$15k–$25k8.5%
$25k–$35k6.8%
$35k–$50k10.9%
$50k–$75k25.2%
$75k–$100k15.8%
$100k–$150k19.7%
$150k–$200k6.3%
$200k+1.7%
Median income$69,231

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.9%
$50k–$100k 11.8%
$100k–$150k 17.2%
$150k–$200k 23.0%
$200k–$300k 18.7%
$300k–$500k 23.3%
$500k–$1M 1.8%
$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$185,200
Median rent / month$716
Owner occupied80.3%
Renter occupied19.7%
Vacant14.5%
Single-family detached85.5%
Large apartment buildings0.8%
Mobile homes7.9%
Median rooms5.8
Avg household size (owned)2.36

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20192.9%
2000–200913.9%
1990–199913.9%
1980–198911.2%
1970–197911.2%
1960–19695.8%
1950–19594.4%
1940–19495.0%
1939 or earlier31.7%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.2%
1 bedroom9.5%
2 bedrooms22.2%
3 bedrooms47.7%
4 bedrooms12.9%
5+ bedrooms7.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle3.4%
1 vehicle22.3%
2 vehicles33.7%
3 or more40.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas1.2%
Electricity9.2%
Propane / LP gas60.9%
Fuel oil10.4%
Wood17.0%
No fuel used0.7%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family22354.1%
Cohabiting couple379.0%
Male householder, no spouse7217.5%
Female householder, no spouse8019.4%
Households with children under 187919.2%
Households with seniors (65+)19647.6%
Average household size2.30

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married28.4%22.6%
Married58.9%53.6%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed1.0%9.7%
Divorced11.7%14.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.6%
Some HS, no diploma 5.6%
HS graduate 38.3%
Some college, no degree 20.0%
Associate's degree 10.5%
Bachelor's degree 17.1%
Graduate / professional 6.9%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher92.8%
Bachelor's or higher24.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool107.2%
Kindergarten64.3%
Elementary school6244.6%
High school4633.1%
College / grad school1510.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.7%
Manufacturing 20.6%
Transportation & utilities 13.1%
Arts, food & hospitality 12.4%
Finance & real estate 6.7%
Retail trade 6.1%
Agriculture & mining 5.5%
Construction 5.1%
Other services 4.0%
Public administration 2.1%
Professional & management 1.5%
Information 0.2%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts29.9%
Service18.3%
Sales & office21.5%
Natural resources & construction8.4%
Production & transportation21.9%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector80.0%
Government10.5%
Self-employed9.1%
Unpaid family workers0.4%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone85.6%
Carpool6.1%
Public transit0.0%
Walk3.9%
Other means0.7%
Avg commute (minutes)23.3

Poverty

All people 8.0%
Under 18 years 14.1%
18 and over 6.6%
Married-couple families 1.8%
Female-led households 20.7%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security47.1%
Retirement income35.7%
Supplemental Security3.4%
Cash public assistance1.9%
Food stamps / SNAP8.7%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure35.6%
High cholesterol36.8%
Heart disease7.5%
Stroke3.4%
Asthma9.5%
Arthritis28.2%
Kidney disease3.2%
Pulmonary disease7.3%
Cancer8.2%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking22.5%
No physical activity21.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep30.2%
Fair or poor health13.3%
Poor mental health12.7%
Poor physical health10.9%
No health insurance10.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)76.1%
Visited dentist68.1%
Cholesterol screening89.4%
Teeth loss12.8%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans9312.1%
Disability%
Any disability14.7%
Under 181.7%
18–64 years8.7%
65 and over32.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance74.0%
Public insurance42.4%
Uninsured under 1910.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only88793.7%
Spanish40.5%
Other Indo-European10.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander30.3%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)91896.9%
Born in same state91896.9%
Born in different state38140.2%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen293.1%
Not a US citizen26.9%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Polish20221.3%
Italian838.8%
French545.7%
English272.9%
Arab222.3%
AncestryCount%
Irish80.8%
Norwegian20.2%
Dutch20.2%
German10.1%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access43.5%
Internet access88.1%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Nelson, WI have?
Nelson, WI has one ZIP code: 54756. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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