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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Wadena County

Minnesota · 14,065 residents · 536.347 sq mi
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The short version

Wadena County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $46,178. 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 $135,000. Households here earn about 37% less than the Minnesota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,065
+3%since 2000
from 13,713 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
26 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 26 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.5
+7%since 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
13K13K14K14K14K1990201020202024Wadena County
202414K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,178
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,651 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,603
+62%since 2000
from $15,146 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
27.5%
+11.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade15.4%
US avg: 10%
Information12.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing8.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Wholesale trade8.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Construction7.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services2.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$135,000
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$657
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $337 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
72.6%
−5.1 ptssince 2000
from 77.6% in 2000
27.4% rent
Afford Score
2.9
+39%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wadena County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.3%(13,340)
Black0.5%(65)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(128)
Asian0.2%(25)
Other0%
Diversity Score4%(545)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(13,044)
Black0.8%(118)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(273)
Asian0.4%(54)
Other4%(569)
Diversity Score17.1%(2,407)
Segregation Score9.2%(1,292)
Diversity Score
17
+331%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
9
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.9%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.4%
+11.9 ptssince 2000
from 79.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+60%since 2000
from 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 76.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2011
from 6.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.2%
+3.0 ptssince 2011
from 58.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.7%
−32.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
50.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
1.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.3%
−84.5 ptssince 2013
from 90.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Wadena County

Washington County
Pop 14,822
Carroll County
Pop 15,419
Charlton County
Pop 13,121
Johnson County
Pop 13,363
Places similar to Wadena County
Head to head

Compare Wadena County to nearby counties

WADENA COUNTY VS
Hubbard County
Income$71,995+56%
Home value$282,600+109%
Population22,369+55%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WADENA COUNTY VS
Todd County
Income$67,662+47%
Home value$207,700+54%
Population26,060+81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WADENA COUNTY VS
Otter Tail County
Income$72,255+56%
Home value$273,000+102%
Population61,041+324%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WADENA COUNTY VS
Cass County
Income$68,874+49%
Home value$288,300+114%
Population31,430+118%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wadena County, Minnesota?

Wadena County, Minnesota has about 14,065 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wadena County, Minnesota?

The typical household in Wadena County, Minnesota earns about $46,178 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wadena County, Minnesota expensive?

In Wadena County, Minnesota, the median home is worth about $135,000, and the typical rent is about $657 a month.

How educated are people in Wadena County, Minnesota?

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

What is the poverty rate in Wadena County, Minnesota?

About 14.6% of people in Wadena County, Minnesota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wadena County, Minnesota grown since 1990?

Yes, Wadena County, Minnesota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 911 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

3 census tracts
Census Tract 4802Census Tract 4803Census Tract 4801
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 56482ZIP 56464ZIP 56477ZIP 56481
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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