Wathena, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wathena, Kansas had a total population of 1,554, the 149th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $87,222, which is 17% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Wathena Quick Facts
How Wathena 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 | 1,463 | 1,554 | +6.2% |
| Median household income | $84,531 | $87,222 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $154,800 | $161,800 | +4.5% |
How Wathena 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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wathena Rankings in Kansas
Explore Kansas Rankings
Other Cities in Doniphan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland | 1,069 | $72,083 | 8.4% | $114,400 |
| Elwood | 1,049 | $62,266 | 15.4% | $88,000 |
| Troy | 824 | $52,232 | 13.5% | $108,100 |
| Bendena | 140 | $94,375 | 21.4% | $191,700 |
| White Cloud | 117 | $47,031 | 16.2% | $92,100 |
| Denton | 109 | $78,125 | 2.8% | $111,500 |
| Leona | 49 | $40,625 | 12.2% | $9,999 |
| Severance | 37 | N/A | 48.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wathena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colwich | 1,492 | $88,295 | $221,500 | 37.5% | 1.3% |
| Sedgwick | 1,614 | $93,125 | $179,400 | 29.0% | 5.9% |
| Conway Springs | 1,573 | $73,320 | $113,300 | 40.7% | 11.2% |
| Johnson City | 1,549 | $71,105 | $65,200 | 23.2% | 1.7% |
| Buhler | 1,525 | $72,929 | $131,800 | 29.3% | 4.2% |
Population Overview
Wathena is a small community located in Kansas, within Doniphan County. The total population is 1,554. It ranks as the 149th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wathena is 46.2 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 37.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wathena is $87,222. This is 17% higher than the state median of $74,275. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.7%. This is 50% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $161,800. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Wathena is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wathena has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 13.6%.
Education
17.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wathena, Kansas 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 Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. 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 Wathena, Kansas?
Wathena, Kansas has a population of 1,554 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wathena, KS?
The median household income in Wathena is $87,222, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wathena, KS?
The poverty rate in Wathena is 5.7%. This means approximately 86 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wathena, Kansas?
Wathena's population is 92.7% White, 0.0% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wathena, KS?
The median home value in Wathena is $161,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Wathena, Kansas?
17.7% of adults (25+) in Wathena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.