City · Kansas
Wathena, Kansas
Wathena, city, in Doniphan County, Kansas. Wathena had 1,273 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,246 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 1,554 (±224). GEOID 2076000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,273
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,246 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,554 ±224
Median household income
$87,222
±$9,361 (90% margin)
Kansas: $74,275
Median home value
$161,800
±$23,928 (90% margin)
Kansas: $217,200
Median gross rent
$428
±$375 (90% margin)
Kansas: $1,060
Where is Wathena and what county is it in?
Wathena is a city in Doniphan County, Kansas. It covers 2.3 square miles of land, 532 residents per square mile in 2020.
Wathena is in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Wathena lies entirely within Washington Township (Doniphan County), a township with its own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Wathena, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,273 people lived in Wathena on July 1, 2025, up 1.4% since 2020, in line with Kansas (+1.3%). The 2020 Census counted 1,246 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 1,554 (±224).
| Measure | Wathena | Doniphan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,554 ±224 | 7,503 | no clear change |
| Households | 614 ±93 | 2,724 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.47 ±0.27 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 675 ±105 | 3,373 | no clear change |
Wathena's population since 2000
From 1,348 in 2000 to 1,273 in 2025: down 5.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Wathena as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Wathena?
The median resident of Wathena is 46.2 years old; 19.9% are under 18 and 19.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.7%.
| Measure | Wathena | Doniphan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.2 ±4.5 | 41.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.9% ±4.3 pts | 21.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.0% ±5.0 pts | 20.2% | – |
| Male | 44.3% ±4.4 pts | 50.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% ±2.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.7% ±3.4 pts | 88.0% | −4.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.7% ±2.2 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1% ±2.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.0% ±3.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.1% ±3.1 pts | 5.1% | – |
| With a disability | 13.1% ±4.2 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.4% ±2.2 pts | 6.4% | −8.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 98.1% ±1.4 pts | 92.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.7% ±5.6 pts | 21.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.4% ±4.0 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.6% ±4.9 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.0% ±3.2 pts | 4.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Wathena earn?
Half of Wathena's 614 households earn less than $87,222 a year (±$9,361), against $74,028 in Doniphan County and $74,275 in Kansas. In 2015-2019 the median was $66,978 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $20,244 after inflation. 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wathena | Doniphan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $87,222 ±$9,361 | $74,028 | +$20,244 |
| Mean household income | $101,516 ±$14,416 | $89,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,780 ±$5,626 | $35,226 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.6% ±3.3 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 2.9% ±5.8 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.0% ±4.4 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.6% ±4.5 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.2% ±4.5 pts | 87.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Wathena?
Owners occupy 83.6% of Wathena's occupied homes and renters 16.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $161,800 by its owner (±$23,928).
| Measure | Wathena | Doniphan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $161,800 ±$23,928 | $135,200 | +$29,747 |
| Median gross rent | $428 ±$375 | $776 | – |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 15.4% ±18.9 pts | 25.8% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,360 ±$105 | $1,281 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.6% ±7.2 pts | 81.1% | +16.2 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 16.4% ±7.2 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Housing units | 675 ±105 | 3,373 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±5.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±25.3 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 83.1% ±7.4 pts | 79.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.9% ±4.8 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.7% ±3.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.5% ±2.0 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 20.3% ±6.9 pts | 33.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.8% ±3.2 pts | 2.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Wathena building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Wathena in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 3.5 across Kansas.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Wathena work and get to work?
79.5% of Wathena's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 20.7 minutes.
| Measure | Wathena | Doniphan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.4% ±6.8 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% ±2.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5% ±9.8 pts | 77.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.3% ±7.4 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±3.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 1.9% ±2.5 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.9% ±4.8 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.7 min ±3.8 | 21.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Wathena?
No census tract lies mostly in Wathena; 1 tract reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 203Doniphan County | 3,189 | $81,667 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Wathena) · Census block assignment files
How does Wathena compare with other places in Kansas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Wathena is the 9,381st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 163rd-most populous of 625 in Kansas.
Wathena ranks 95th of 374 places in Kansas with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 163rd | 625 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 101st | 373 |
| Residents per square mile | 190th | 376 |
| Median household income | 95th | 374 |
| Per capita income | 122nd | 375 |
| Median home value | 194th | 370 |
| Poverty rate | 226th | 266 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 323rd | 374 |
| Median age | 76th | 376 |
| Owner-occupied share | 95th | 374 |
| Travel time to work | 189th | 375 |
Wathena's figures with every place in Kansas (CSV)
Every place in Kansas, sortable · Compare Wathena with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Wathena?
22 of the 57 figures for Wathena on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Wathena are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Wathena.