Community Profile
Wadena County
Population Demographics
As of 2026 the population of Wadena County is 14,452. The population is expected to grow to 14,673 by 2031 - a growth rate of 0.30%.
The median age of Wadena County residents is 43.
The diversity index of Wadena County is 18.9, meaning that there is a 19% 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 County is $77,906 and projected to be $86,349 in 2031. Per capita income is $32,569, projected to be $36,174 in 2031. 1.89% of households – 273 – have an income of $200,000 or higher. Average net worth is $665,861 and the average disposable income is $59,071.
There are 7,224 housing units in Wadena County; 4,295 are owner-occupied, 1,710 are rented, and 1,219 are vacant. The average home value is $255,912, with 702 homes built in 2010 or later, and 1,357 built in 1939 or earlier.
Business and Workforce
There are 751 businesses in Wadena County, employing 8,524 workers and pulling from a labor force of 6,283 age 16 and above. 2,188 workers commute into Wadena County from outside the county or state. Key industries for the area include:
4,037 residents both live and work in/around Wadena County. The average travel time is 21.3 minutes. 15.85% people have a commute of less than 5 minutes while 4.36% commute 90 minutes or more each way. Of commuters, 4,884 drive alone, 576 carpool, and 46 take public transportation. 251 use other modes of transport such as motorcycle, bicycle, walking, etc. 526 residents work from home.
3,548 members of the workforce hold a high school diploma or GED. 1,851 have associates degrees, 1,520 have bachelor’s degrees, and 492 hold a graduate or professional degree.
Source: ESRI, 2026-09-09