Wardner, Idaho Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wardner, Idaho had a total population of 281, the 176th largest city in Idaho, with a median household income of $37,122, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.4x the median household income.
Wardner Quick Facts
How Wardner 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 | 300 | 281 | -6.3% |
| Median home value | $302,900 | $312,500 | +3.2% |
How Wardner 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: 36 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wardner Rankings in Idaho
Explore Idaho Rankings
Other Cities in Shoshone County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kellogg | 2,307 | $50,625 | 19.2% | $250,600 |
| Pinehurst | 2,120 | $68,676 | 7.5% | $291,900 |
| Osburn | 1,620 | $50,673 | 18.5% | $205,900 |
| Wallace | 1,027 | $51,492 | 20.1% | $232,700 |
| Mullan | 890 | $68,125 | 10.6% | $210,600 |
| Smelterville | 668 | $48,806 | 17.5% | $154,400 |
| Silverton | 652 | $90,074 | 4.4% | $286,800 |
Cities Similar to Wardner
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swan Valley | 281 | N/A | $672,400 | 43.4% | 15.3% |
| Gannett | 284 | N/A | $255,200 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Hammett | 319 | N/A | $165,700 | 0.0% | 7.2% |
| Stanley | 319 | N/A | N/A | 77.1% | 21.3% |
| Riggins | 263 | $31,471 | $352,300 | 12.0% | 18.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 281, Wardner'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
Wardner is a small community located in Idaho, within Shoshone County. The total population is 281. It ranks as the 176th most populous out of 232 Census-designated places in Idaho.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wardner is 32.7 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 37.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wardner is $37,122. This is 52% lower than the state median of $77,800. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.6%. This is 28% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $312,500. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $418,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 50.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 72.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wardner has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (2.9% vs 0.7%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 13.7%.
Education
18.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wardner, Idaho 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 Idaho state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 232 Census-designated places in Idaho. 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 Wardner, Idaho?
Wardner, Idaho has a population of 281 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wardner, ID?
The median household income in Wardner is $37,122, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wardner, ID?
The poverty rate in Wardner is 7.6%. This means approximately 21 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wardner, Idaho?
Wardner's population is 89.3% White, 2.9% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wardner, ID?
The median home value in Wardner is $312,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.4x.
How educated is Wardner, Idaho?
18.9% of adults (25+) in Wardner hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.