Wadena city, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Wadena city, Minnesota has a total population of 4,361, the 168th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $45,850, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
Wadena city Quick Facts
How Wadena city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wadena city Rankings in Minnesota
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Other Cities in Wadena County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staples city | 2,359 | $51,506 | 17.8% | $119,300 |
| Menahga city | 1,292 | $56,000 | 19.4% | $145,800 |
| Sebeka city | 716 | $40,179 | 19.7% | $82,900 |
| Verndale city | 479 | $44,083 | 13.6% | $105,500 |
| Nimrod city | 84 | N/A | 3.8% | $77,500 |
| Aldrich city | 31 | $36,875 | 0.0% | $90,000 |
Cities Similar to Wadena city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Rapids city | 4,226 | $45,800 | $218,500 | 25.6% | 13.4% |
| Chisholm city | 4,731 | $54,815 | $108,100 | 14.4% | 11.2% |
| Newport city | 4,460 | $63,365 | $331,300 | 25.5% | 10.6% |
| Pipestone city | 4,165 | $61,442 | $102,000 | 24.1% | 16.0% |
| St. James city | 4,740 | $57,031 | $109,600 | 17.6% | 19.3% |
Population Overview
Wadena city is a small community located in Minnesota, within Wadena County. The total population is 4,361. It ranks as the 168th most populous out of 913 cities and towns in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wadena city is 36.5 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wadena city is $45,850. This is 48% lower than the state median of $87,556. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 42% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.5%. This is 58% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.2%. The unemployment rate is 8.1%. This is 105% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $158,700. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $305,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 52.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 72.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wadena city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 6.7%.
Education
13.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 38.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wadena city, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 913 Census-designated places in Minnesota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wadena city, Minnesota?
Wadena city, Minnesota has a population of 4,361 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wadena city, MN?
The median household income in Wadena city is $45,850, which is 42% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Wadena city, MN?
The poverty rate in Wadena city is 14.5%. This means approximately 617 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wadena city, Minnesota?
Wadena city's population is 90.5% White, 0.1% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wadena city, MN?
The median home value in Wadena city is $158,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Wadena city, Minnesota?
13.0% of adults (25+) in Wadena city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.