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As of 2025 the population of Wadena is 4,357. The population is expected to grow to 4,371 by 2030 - a growth rate of 0.06%.
The median age of Wadena residents is 41.
The diversity index of Wadena is 24.6, 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.
The average household income in Wadena is $64,501 and projected to be $68,751 in 2030. Per capita income is $27,999, projected to be $29,589 in 2030. 0.99% of households – 43 – have an income of $200,000 or higher. Average net worth is $416,140 and the average disposable income is $50,468.
There are 2,140 housing units in Wadena; 1,083 are owner-occupied, 806 are rented, and 251 are vacant. The average home value is $216,867, with 289 homes built in 2010 or later, and 484 built in 1939 or earlier.
There are 346 businesses in Wadena, employing 4,803 workers and pulling from a labor force of 2,070 age 16 and above. 646 workers commute into Wadena from outside the county or state. Key industries for the area include:
1,424 residents both live and work in/around Wadena. The average travel time is 0.0 minutes. 24.09% people have a commute of less than 5 minutes while 1.62% commute 90 minutes or more each way. Of commuters, 1,688 drive alone, 214 carpool, and 6 take public transportation. 115 use other modes of transport such as motorcycle, bicycle, walking, etc. 47 residents work from home.
1,097 members of the workforce hold a high school diploma or GED. 717 have associates degrees, 301 have bachelor’s degrees, and 97 hold a graduate or professional degree.
| 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 |
Source: ESRI, 2025-10-16
