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CITY

Wadena

Iowa · 204 residents (2025 est.) · 0.752 sq mi
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The short version

Wadena has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,750. Population has fallen 27% since 2000, a loss of 66 residents. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $94,200. With a median age of 53.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 48% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 53.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
177
−27%since 2000
from 243 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
235 / sq mi
−27%since 2000
from 323 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
53.6
+29%since 2000
from 41.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:204 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1542232913594281990201020202024Wadena
2024177
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,750
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,084
+74%since 2000
from $13,861 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
16.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.8%
+13.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.464
+53%since 2010
from 0.304 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade24.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade12.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance12.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical12.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Information8.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services5.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$94,200
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$532
−21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $371 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
76.6%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 74.8% in 2000
23.4% rent
Vacancy rate
16.1%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
31.9%
+29.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.5%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 38.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.4
+80%since 2000
from 1.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
15
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wadena on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.8%(240)
Black0.4%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1%(3)
2024
White, non-Hispanic90.4%(160)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.6%(1)
Other9%(16)
Diversity Score21.8%(39)
Diversity Score
22
+2013%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.7%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.2%
+11.6 ptssince 2000
from 76.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.0%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 1.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.3 min
+35%since 2000
from 23.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.4%
+26.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.2%
−23.0 ptssince 2009
from 28.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
17.2%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.4%
−12.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 11.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
37.9%
−31.9 ptssince 2011
from 69.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.0%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
44.8%
−14.8 ptssince 2009
from 59.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.4%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
44.6%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.8%
−35.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.0%
+15.1 ptssince 2012
from 6.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.5%
−81.6 ptssince 2013
from 90.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
81.9%
+13.3 ptssince 2017
from 68.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2016
from 98.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Wadena, Iowa?

Wadena, Iowa has about 177 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wadena, Iowa?

The typical household in Wadena, Iowa earns about $38,750 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wadena, Iowa expensive?

In Wadena, Iowa, the median home is worth about $94,200, and the typical rent is about $532 a month.

How educated are people in Wadena, Iowa?

About 13.7% of adults age 25 and over in Wadena, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wadena, Iowa?

About 27.8% of people in Wadena, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wadena, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Wadena, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 42 residents, a change of about -19 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Wadena, Iowa: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy