Wells is a city in Faribault County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,410 at the 2020 census.

History

Wells was laid out in 1869. The city was named for J.W. Wells, father in law of Clark W. Thompson.

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 , all land.

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

Demographics

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.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

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.

! 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 of 2010, there were 2,343 people, 1,013 households, and 635 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,133 housing units at an average density of . 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

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
  • Eric Oren, Minnesota state legislator and businessman
  • Charles Leonard Todd, Minnesota state senator, farmer, and businessman
  • Frederic Warde, printer, type and book designer.

References

  • City of Wells, MN -- Official site
  • United South Central Schools site