Living in Wadena, Minnesota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Wadena · Census data 2020–2024
Wadena has 4,419 residents with a median age of 39.2. The median household income is $56,080 (37% lower than the Minnesota median), the median home value is $160,800, the median rent is $684/month.
Wadena at a glance
- Population
- 4,419
- Median age
- 39.2State: 38.8
- Median household income
- $56,080State: $89,062
- Median home value
- $160,800State: $329,300
- Median rent
- $684/moState: $1,280
- Homeowners
- 58.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.6%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Wadena a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 37% lower than the Minnesota median; unemployment of 6.2%; a poverty rate of 17.7%.
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 $160,800, 52% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $684 per month, which is 24.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,060 a month in housing costs.
Wadena median household income
The median household income in Wadena is $56,080 and the income per person is $31,596. 17.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Minnesota: 9.3%).
Housing in Wadena: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,086
- Owner-occupied
- 58.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 41.9%
- Vacant
- 2.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1964
- Average household size
- 2.09
Wadena demographics
- Population
- 4,419
- Median age
- 39.2
- Under 18
- 27%
- 65 and older
- 18.2%
- Households
- 2,042
- Foreign-born
- 1.2%
- Veterans
- 8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Wadena ›
Education in Wadena
17.6% of adults 25 and older in Wadena have a bachelor's degree or higher (Minnesota: 39.4%), and 4.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Wadena
- Unemployment rate
- 6.2%State: 4.1%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 5%
- Drive alone
- 82.6%
- Public transit
- 0.9%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 82.4%
Wadena vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wadena | 4,419 | $56,080 | $160,800 | $684 |
| Bluffton | 263 | $100,417 | $182,300 | $825 |
| Verndale | 452 | $49,063 | $104,600 | $708 |
| Hewitt | 283 | $63,750 | $97,300 | $958 |
| Deer Creek | 330 | $52,273 | $120,800 | $381 |
| Sebeka | 725 | $39,000 | $84,300 | $688 |
| New York Mills | 1,371 | $56,875 | $166,300 | $727 |
| Bertha | 474 | $57,708 | $94,400 | $913 |
| Staples | 2,269 | $52,071 | $130,000 | $844 |
More for people moving to Wadena
Wadena ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Wadena: FAQ
What is the median household income in Wadena, MN?
The median household income in Wadena is $56,080, 37% lower than the Minnesota median of $89,062 (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 $160,800, compared with $329,300 in Minnesota.
How much is rent in Wadena?
The median gross rent in Wadena is $684 per month, about 24.3% of household income.
Is Wadena, MN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes. Minuses: median household income 37% lower than the Minnesota median; unemployment of 6.2%; a poverty rate of 17.7%.
What is the median age in Wadena?
The median age in Wadena is 39.2 years (Minnesota: 38.8).
How long is the commute in Wadena?
The average commute to work in Wadena is 15 minutes; 5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Wadena?
The unemployment rate in Wadena is 6.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Wadena?
17.6% 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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