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CITY

Wathena

Kansas · 1,273 residents (2025 est.) · 2.342 sq mi
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The short version

Wathena has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $87,222. Population has grown 15% since 2000. 18% 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 $161,800. With a median age of 46.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 43%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,554
+15%since 2000
from 1,348 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
664 / sq mi
+15%since 2000
from 576 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
46.2
+27%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,273 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K2K1990201020202024Wathena
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$87,222
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,046 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,780
+158%since 2000
from $15,440 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
58.6%
+34.0 ptssince 2009
from 24.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.386
−13%since 2010
from 0.445 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade23.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services7.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$161,800
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$428
−35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $363 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
83.6%
+10.6 ptssince 2000
from 72.9% in 2000
16.4% rent
Vacancy rate
9.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.4%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 25.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
22.8%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+2%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
52
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wathena on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.1%(1,309)
Black0.7%(9)
Hispanic / Latino1%(13)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.1%(55)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(1,440)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(25)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.7%(89)
Diversity Score17.2%(268)
Diversity Score
17
+322%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 18.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.1%
+19.9 ptssince 2000
from 78.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.7 min
+66%since 2000
from 12.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.5%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 86.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.3%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% 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
2.8%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.7%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 5.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
68.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 69.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.4%
+9.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
39.6%
−20.1 ptssince 2009
from 59.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 43.6% in 2009
Female
55.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 56.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.1%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.1%
−41.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.1%
−1.9 ptssince 2012
from 15.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.4%
−85.3 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.2%
+21.1 ptssince 2017
from 71.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2016
from 98.6% 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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Compare Wathena to nearby cities

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Income$57,956−34%
Home value$154,200−5%
Population71,001+5477%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATHENA VS
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Home value$129,700−20%
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WATHENA VS
Leavenworth
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Home value$193,000+19%
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WATHENA VS
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Home value$290,600+80%
Population11,160+777%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Wathena, Kansas?

Wathena, Kansas has about 1,554 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wathena, Kansas?

The typical household in Wathena, Kansas earns about $87,222 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wathena, Kansas expensive?

In Wathena, Kansas, the median home is worth about $161,800, and the typical rent is about $428 a month.

How educated are people in Wathena, Kansas?

About 17.7% of adults age 25 and over in Wathena, Kansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wathena, Kansas?

About 5.6% of people in Wathena, Kansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wathena, Kansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Wathena, Kansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 394 residents, a change of about 34 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 →

Wathena, Kansas: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy