County · Minnesota
Wadena County, Minnesota
Wadena County, Minnesota. Wadena County had 14,388 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.3% since 2020, in line with Minnesota (+2.2%). It holds 22 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 15 towns and townships) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 27159.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,388
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,065 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,256
Median household income
$61,467
±$4,671 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $89,062
Median home value
$173,000
±$5,359 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $329,300
Median gross rent
$746
±$86 (90% margin)
Minnesota: $1,280
How many people live in Wadena County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,065 residents in Wadena County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,388 for July 1, 2025, up 2.3% since 2020, in line with Minnesota (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,256 over 536 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wadena County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,256 | 5,739,445 | +602 |
| Households | 6,081±122 | 2,307,955 | +415 |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.05 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,021±40 | 2,545,030 | −113 |
Wadena County's population since 2000
From 13,713 in 2000 to 14,388 in 2025: up 4.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Wadena County?
Wadena County holds 22 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 15 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Wadena with 4,341 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Wadena | 4,325 | $56,080 |
|---|---|---|
| Menahga | 1,340 | $58,036 |
| Wadena Township | 907 | $79,063 |
| Staples | 2,989 | $52,071 |
| Blueberry Township | 828 | $94,250 |
| Thomastown Township | 824 | $91,094 |
| Sebeka | 741 | $39,000 |
| Verndale | 511 | $49,063 |
| Red Eye Township | 506 | $72,000 |
| Leaf River Township | 473 | $86,161 |
| Aldrich Township | 452 | $88,153 |
| Wing River Township | 422 | $62,500 |
| Rockwood Township, Wadena County | 386 | $53,393 |
| North Germany Township | 290 | $59,688 |
| Shell River Township | 287 | $63,500 |
| Meadow TownshipGEOID 2715941336 | 216 | $52,569 |
| Orton Township | 200 | $58,750 |
| Bullard Township | 190 | $39,625 |
| Lyons Township, Wadena CountyGEOID 2715938852 | 186 | $72,778 |
| Huntersville Township | 101 | $54,286 |
| NimrodGEOID 2746294 | 84 | $117,500 |
| AldrichGEOID 2700892 | 35 | $37,500 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Wadena County?
The median resident of Wadena County is 40.0 years old; 26.1% are under 18 and 20.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 9.1%. 1.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wadena County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0±0.6 | 38.8 | −1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 26.1%±0.5 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.2%±0.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.4% | 6.4% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.1%±3.9 pts | 75.9% | −8.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.4 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 5.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 9.1%±3.9 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.6%±0.6 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.0%±1.1 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 15.3%±1.7 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.5%±1.7 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.6%±1.7 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.8%±2.5 pts | 39.4% | +6.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.9%±1.0 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
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 Wadena County earn?
Half of Wadena County's 6,081 households earn less than $61,467 a year (±$4,671), against $89,062 in Minnesota. In 2015-2019 it was $57,356 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wadena County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,467±$4,671 | $89,062 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,288±$3,735 | $118,304 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,541±$1,486 | $48,237 | +$2,741 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.5%±2.1 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.0%±4.5 pts | 10.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.3%±2.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.8%±2.4 pts | 91.6% | – |
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 Wadena County?
Owners occupy 73.6% of Wadena County's occupied homes and renters 26.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $173,000 by its owner (±$5,359). The median renter pays $746 a month including utilities, and 26.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wadena County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $173,000±$5,359 | $329,300 | +$10,548 |
| Median gross rent | $746±$86 | $1,280 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 26.2%±7.9 pts | 38.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,223±$41 | $1,947 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.6%±2.9 pts | 72.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,021±40 | 2,545,030 | −113 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.3%±1.2 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.4%±2.3 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.9%±1.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.5 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.3%±2.8 pts | 15.6% | – |
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 Wadena County building?
Builders took permits for 82 new housing units across Wadena County in 2025 (48 single-family), 5.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Wadena County get to work?
77.7% of Wadena County's workers drive alone and 8.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.5%.
| Measure | Wadena County | Minnesota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.4%±2.0 pts | 68.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5%±1.8 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.7%±3.3 pts | 68.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.2%±1.9 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±0.6 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.4%±2.3 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.3 min±1.9 | 22.7 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 are Wadena County's census tracts?
Wadena County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $58,234 (Tract 4803) to $66,442 (Tract 4801).
| Tract 480127159480100 | 3,439±225 | $66,442 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 480227159480200 | 5,524±316 | $64,048 |
| Tract 480327159480300 | 5,293±262 | $58,234 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Wadena County compare with Minnesota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 58th of 87 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 27th of 87 |
| Residents per square mile | 46th of 87 |
| Median household income | 83rd of 87 |
| Median home value | 65th of 87 |
| Median gross rent | 75th of 87 |
| Poverty rate | 20th of 87 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 70th of 87 |
| Median age | 60th of 87 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Wadena County 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' school search.