Wadena, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wadena, Minnesota had a total population of 4,419, the 167th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $56,080, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Wadena Quick Facts
How Wadena 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 | 4,361 | 4,419 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $45,850 | $56,080 | +22.3% |
| Median home value | $158,700 | $160,800 | +1.3% |
How Wadena 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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wadena Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Wadena County
Cities Similar to Wadena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sauk Centre | 4,621 | $62,628 | $225,700 | 20.8% | 19.5% |
| St. James | 4,767 | $60,242 | $122,100 | 15.5% | 18.1% |
| Chisholm | 4,712 | $50,891 | $109,200 | 16.6% | 14.0% |
| Park Rapids | 4,270 | $44,747 | $227,500 | 22.0% | 21.2% |
| Pipestone | 4,129 | $67,568 | $114,100 | 25.4% | 13.1% |
Population Overview
Wadena is a small community located in Minnesota, within Wadena County. The total population is 4,419. It ranks as the 167th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wadena is 39.2 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wadena is $56,080. This is 37% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.7%. This is 90% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $160,800. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Wadena is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wadena is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
17.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wadena, Minnesota 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 Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. 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 Wadena, Minnesota?
Wadena, Minnesota has a population of 4,419 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wadena, MN?
The median household income in Wadena is $56,080, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wadena, MN?
The poverty rate in Wadena is 17.7%. This means approximately 763 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wadena, Minnesota?
Wadena's population is 77.9% White, 1.8% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wadena, MN?
The median home value in Wadena is $160,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Wadena, Minnesota?
17.6% of adults (25+) in Wadena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.