Wells, Minnesota

{{short description|City in Minnesota, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Wells | settlement_type = City | nickname = | motto =  | image_skyline = MunicipalBldgWellsMN.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = Wells Municipal Building in 2023 | image_flag = | image_seal =  | image_map = Faribault_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Wells_Highlighted.svg | mapsize = 250px | map_caption = Location of Wells, Minnesota | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_caption1 =  | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = United States | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Minnesota | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name2 = Faribault

|government_footnotes = |government_type = Mayor – Council |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = David Braun |established_title = |established_date = =  | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_27.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref> | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 5.79 | area_land_km2 = 5.41 | area_water_km2 = 0.38 | area_total_sq_mi = 2.24 | area_land_sq_mi = 2.09 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.15

| timezone = Central (CST) | utc_offset = -6 | timezone_DST = CDT | utc_offset_DST = -5 | elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> | elevation_ft = 1135 | coordinates = {{coord|43|44|37|N|93|44|01|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}} | postal_code_type = ZIP code | postal_code = 56097 | area_code = 507 | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = 27-69106<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> | blank1_name = GNIS feature ID | blank1_info = 2397249<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2397249}}</ref> | website = https://cityofwellsmn.gov/ | footnotes = | pop_est_footnotes = | name = }}

'''Wells''' is a city in Faribault County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,410 at the 2020 census.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wells City, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/profile?q=Wells+city,+Minnesota |website=Census.gov}}</ref>

==History== Wells was laid out in 1869.<ref>{{cite book|last=Upham|first=Warren|title=Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance|url=https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog|year=1920|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society|page=[https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog/page/n207 188]}}</ref> The city was named for J.W. Wells, father in law of Clark W. Thompson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=21544|title=Profile for Wells, Minnesota|publisher=ePodunk|access-date=2010-05-29}}</ref>

The city contains a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Depot and Lunchroom.

==Geography== According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|1.99|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name ="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-11-13}}</ref>

Minnesota State Highways 22 and 109 are two of the main routes in the city. Interstate 90 is located six miles south of Wells on Highway 22.

===Climate=== {{Weather box  | single line = Y | location = Wells, Minnesota, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1968–present

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA> {{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00218808&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Wells, MN |access-date = May 11, 2023 }} </ref> |source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData> {{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=mpx |publisher = National Weather Service |title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Minneapolis |access-date = May 11, 2023 }} </ref> }}

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1880= 661 |1890= 1208 |1900= 2017 |1910= 1755 |1920= 1894 |1930= 1795 |1940= 2127 |1950= 2475 |1960= 2897 |1970= 2791 |1980= 2777 |1990= 2465 |2000= 2494 |2010= 2343 |2020= 2410 |align-fn=center |footnote=[https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census] | align = right }}

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, Wells had a population of 2,410. The median age was 41.8 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.7 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A69106&in=state%3A27|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 29, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A69106&in=state%3A27|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 29, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 1,017 households in Wells, of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.0% were married-couple households, 19.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 1,119 housing units, of which 9.1% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.2%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A69106&in=state%3A27|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 29, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 2,131 || 88.4% |- | Black or African American || 10 || 0.4% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 11 || 0.5% |- | Asian || 18 || 0.7% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0% |- | Some other race || 105 || 4.4% |- | Two or more races || 135 || 5.6% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 254 || 10.5% |}

===2010 census=== As of the census<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-11-13}}</ref> of 2010, there were 2,343 people, 1,013 households, and 635 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1177.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,133 housing units at an average density of {{convert|569.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.3% of the population.

There were 1,013 households, of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.3% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the city was 45.3 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.6% were from 45 to 64; and 22.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

===2000 census=== As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 2,494 people, 1,032 households, and 665 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,846.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,097 housing units at an average density of {{convert|812.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.31% White, 0.04% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 2.17% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 4.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,032 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,463, and the median income for a family was $38,523. Males had a median income of $27,969 versus $19,873 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,614. 9.8% of the population and 5.9% of families were below the poverty line. 7.4% of those under the age of 18 and 15.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. ==Transportation== Land was purchased in 1964 to build an airport. The Wells Municipal Airport opened in August 1966.<ref name=MNFlyer>{{cite magazine |last=Foster |first=Tom |date=July 2013 |title=Airport of the Month|magazine=Minnesota Flyer| url=https://www.mnflyer.com/section/airport_of_the_month }}</ref>

==Notable people== *Larry Buendorf, US Secret Service agent who subdued Squeaky Fromme. *David M. Carey, Veterinarian and Minnesota state senator *Remember L. H. Lord, businessman and Minnesota state legislator<ref>[https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=13692 Minnesota Legislators: Past & Present-Remember L. H. Lord]</ref> *Eric Oren, Minnesota state legislator and businessman *Charles Leonard Todd, Minnesota state senator, farmer, and businessman *Frederic Warde, printer, type and book designer.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://cityofwellsmn.gov/ City of Wells, MN -- Official site] *[https://www.usc.k12.mn.us/ United South Central Schools site]

Category:Cities in Faribault County, Minnesota Category:Cities in Minnesota