Living in Wadena, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Wadena · Census data 2020–2024
Wadena has 177 residents with a median age of 53.6. The median household income is $38,750 (48% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $94,200, the median rent is $532/month.
Wadena is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Wadena at a glance
- Population
- 177
- Median age
- 53.6State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $38,750State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $94,200State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $532/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 76.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13.7%
- Average commute
- 31 min
Is Wadena a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 55% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 48% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 31 minutes; unemployment of 4.9%; a poverty rate of 27.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Wadena
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Wadena the median home value is $94,200, 72% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $532 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,104 a month in housing costs.
Wadena median household income
The median household income in Wadena is $38,750 and the income per person is $24,084. 27.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Wadena: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 112
- Owner-occupied
- 76.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 23.4%
- Vacant
- 16.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 1.88
Wadena demographics
- Population
- 177
- Median age
- 53.6
- Under 18
- 11.9%
- 65 and older
- 33.9%
- Households
- 94
- Foreign-born
- 0.6%
- Veterans
- 12.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Wadena ›
Education in Wadena
13.7% of adults 25 and older in Wadena have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Wadena
- Unemployment rate
- 4.9%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 31 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 17.2%
- Drive alone
- 72.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 3.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 81.9%
Wadena vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wadena | 177 | $38,750 | $94,200 | $532 |
| Arlington | 427 | $38,958 | $112,000 | $560 |
| Volga | 216 | $54,063 | $80,700 | — |
| Fayette | 1,309 | $47,917 | $119,000 | $1,347 |
| Elgin | 735 | $54,688 | $98,800 | $538 |
| Clermont | 627 | $85,625 | $117,200 | $434 |
| West Union | 2,489 | $53,617 | $121,000 | $967 |
| Maynard | 471 | $55,583 | $132,100 | $629 |
| Strawberry Point | 1,267 | $57,778 | $114,700 | $670 |
More for people moving to Wadena
Wadena ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Wadena: FAQ
What is the median household income in Wadena, IA?
The median household income in Wadena is $38,750, 48% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Wadena?
The median home value in Wadena is $94,200, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Wadena?
The median gross rent in Wadena is $532 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Wadena, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 55% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 48% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 31 minutes; unemployment of 4.9%; a poverty rate of 27.8%.
What is the median age in Wadena?
The median age in Wadena is 53.6 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Wadena?
The average commute to work in Wadena is 31 minutes; 17.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Wadena?
The unemployment rate in Wadena is 4.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Wadena?
13.7% of adults in Wadena have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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