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CITY · 2020 ACS

Wadena

Minnesota · 4,325 residents · 5.532 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 $38,582. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $103,400. The poverty rate of 22.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 47% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,325
+1%since 2000
from 4,294 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
782 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 776 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.7
−3%since 2000
from 40.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K4K1990201020202024Wadena
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,582
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,947 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,319
+44%since 2000
from $15,452 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
17.6%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.2%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 15.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing10.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction10.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Information10.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing5.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services2.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$103,400
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$658
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $326 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
54.6%
−9.2 ptssince 2000
from 63.8% in 2000
45.4% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+36%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wadena on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.5%(4,187)
Black0.8%(36)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(26)
Asian0.2%(8)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.1%(174)
2020
White, non-Hispanic90%(3,894)
Black1.5%(65)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(121)
Asian0.6%(24)
Other2.3%(98)
Diversity Score17.5%(755)
Diversity Score
17
+330%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 16.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.4%
+11.9 ptssince 2000
from 78.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.0%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.1 min
+17%since 2000
from 11.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
74.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 76.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
19.6%
+9.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
14.2%
+7.5 ptssince 2011
from 6.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.2%
+4.2 ptssince 2011
from 57.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
19.5%
−38.9 ptssince 2009
from 58.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
49.3%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
4.2%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.6%
−82.3 ptssince 2013
from 88.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Wadena, Minnesota?

Wadena, Minnesota has about 4,325 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wadena, Minnesota?

The typical household in Wadena, Minnesota earns about $38,582 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wadena, Minnesota expensive?

In Wadena, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $103,400, and the typical rent is about $658 a month.

How educated are people in Wadena, Minnesota?

About 16.9% of adults age 25 and over in Wadena, Minnesota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wadena, Minnesota?

About 22.2% of people in Wadena, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wadena, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Wadena, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 182 residents, a change of about 4 percent over that period.

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

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