Community Profile
Wadena
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Population Demographics
As of 2026 the population of Wadena is 4,343. The population is expected to grow to 4,355 by 2031 - a growth rate of 0.06%.
The median age of Wadena residents is 41.
The diversity index of Wadena is 25.1, meaning that there is a 25% chance that any two people selected out of 100 residents will be of different race or ethnicity from one another.
Housing and Income
The average household income in Wadena is $65,466 and projected to be $71,018 in 2031. Per capita income is $28,919, projected to be $31,356 in 2031. 1.43% of households – 62 – have an income of $200,000 or higher. Average net worth is $366,684 and the average disposable income is $50,206.
There are 2,147 housing units in Wadena; 1,039 are owner-occupied, 868 are rented, and 240 are vacant. The average home value is $217,327, with 351 homes built in 2010 or later, and 487 built in 1939 or earlier.
Business and Workforce
There are 344 businesses in Wadena, employing 4,781 workers and pulling from a labor force of 1,988 age 16 and above. 547 workers commute into Wadena from outside the county or state. Key industries for the area include:
1,441 residents both live and work in/around Wadena. The average travel time is 0.0 minutes. 28.04% people have a commute of less than 5 minutes while 1.67% commute 90 minutes or more each way. Of commuters, 1,642 drive alone, 106 carpool, and 17 take public transportation. 124 use other modes of transport such as motorcycle, bicycle, walking, etc. 99 residents work from home.
1,105 members of the workforce hold a high school diploma or GED. 608 have associates degrees, 412 have bachelor’s degrees, and 125 hold a graduate or professional degree.
Leading Employers
| Business | Employees |
|---|---|
| WADENA DEER CREEK SCHOOL DIST | 230 |
| WADENA-DEER CRK PBLC SCHL DIST | 230 |
| WADENA TECHNICAL COLLEGE | 110 |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK ELEMENTARY | 106 |
| HOMECREST OUTDOOR LIVING NP ND | 100 |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK PUBLIC SCHLS | 90 |
| RISING PHOENIX EE | 86 |
| MINNESOTA STATE CMNTY & TECH | 85 |
| MASON BROTHERS CO | 85 |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL | 67 |
| WADENA-DEER CREEK PUBLIC SCHL | 55 |
| WADENA COUNTY SOCIAL SVC | 55 |
| FRIENDLY RIDER TRANSIT | 52 |
| MC DONALD'S | 50 |
| INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DST 2155 | 45 |
| KERN & TABERY INC | 40 |
| WADENA COUNTY SHERIFF | 35 |
| TODD-WADENA ELECTRIC CO-OP | 30 |
| BOONDOCKS CAFE | 26 |
| FORUM COMMUNICATIONS PRINTING | 25 |
| WADENA INN & GRILL | 25 |
| LPL FINANCIAL | 23 |
| NEIGHBORHOOD COUNSELING CTR | 23 |
| ACE HARDWARE | 22 |
| MERICKEL'S | 22 |
Transportation
Source: ESRI, 2026-09-09