Wadena, Iowa

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Population in 2022: 205 (0% urban, 100% rural).
Population change since 2000: -15.6%
 
Males: 102  (50.2%)
Females: 103  (49.8%)
Median resident age:

55.8 years
Iowa median age:

38.9 years

Zip codes: 52169.

Estimated median household income in 2022: $48,276 (it was $25,500 in 2000)
Wadena:

$48,276
IA:

$69,588

Estimated per capita income in 2022: $30,160 (it was $13,861 in 2000)

Wadena city income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $92,049 (it was $34,500 in 2000)
Wadena:

$92,049
IA:

$194,600

Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $99,463; detached houses: $95,330; mobile homes: $194,570

Median gross rent in 2022: $487.

March 2022 cost of living index in Wadena: 80.9 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 12.4%
(13.2% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 10.0% for two or more races residents)

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  • Races in Wadena, IA (2022)
    • 18788.6%White alone
    • 167.6%Other race alone
    • 125.7%Two or more races

Races in Wadena detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth



According to our research of Iowa and other state lists, there was 1 registered sex offender living in Wadena, Iowa as of May 23, 2024.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Wadena is 281 to 1.


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Ancestries: American (27.4%), German (27.4%), English (18.9%), Norwegian (10.4%), European (7.5%), Swedish (1.9%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Incorporated on 07/11/1895

Elevation: 865 feet

Land area: 0.74 square miles.

Population density: 278 people per square mile   (very low).

Wadena, Iowa map

8 residents are foreign born (1.6% Europe, 1.6% Africa).

This city:

3.3%
Iowa:

3.1%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2022: $935 (1.2%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2022: $1,103 (1.1%)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Waterloo, IA (42.5 miles , pop. 68,747).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Madison, WI (115.6 miles , pop. 208,054).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (214.7 miles , pop. 2,896,016).

Nearest cities:

Arlington, IA (2.5 miles ),
Volga, IA (2.5 miles ),
Fayette, IA (2.7 miles ),
Elgin, IA (2.8 miles ),
Clermont, IA (3.3 miles ),
West Union, IA (3.4 miles ),
Randalia, IA (3.4 miles),
Maynard, IA (3.5 miles )

Latitude: 42.84 N, Longitude: 91.66 W

Area code: 563

Distribution of median household income in Wadena, IA in 2022
Distribution of house value in Wadena, IA in 2022
Wadena satellite photo by USGS

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 2008: 1 building, cost: $161,100
  • 2006: 2 buildings, average cost: $149,000
Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

2.9%
Iowa:

2.7%
Population change in the 1990s: +7 (+3.0%).
Most common industries in Wadena, IA (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Construction (14.3%)
  • Health care (12.4%)
  • Accommodation & food services (11.4%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (8.6%)
  • Transportation equipment (7.6%)
  • Machinery (6.7%)
  • Truck transportation (6.7%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Construction (27.3%)
  • Truck transportation (12.7%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (9.1%)
  • Accommodation & food services (9.1%)
  • Food (5.5%)
  • Machinery (5.5%)
  • Plastics & rubber products (5.5%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Health care (20.0%)
  • Accommodation & food services (14.0%)
  • Transportation equipment (12.0%)
  • Finance & insurance (10.0%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (8.0%)
  • Machinery (8.0%)
  • Food (4.0%)
Most common occupations in Wadena, IA (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Construction traders workers except carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, and construction laborers (11.4%)
  • Cooks and food preparation workers (7.6%)
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (6.7%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (5.7%)
  • Other food preparation and serving workers, including supervisors (4.8%)
  • Financial clerks, except bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks (4.8%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (4.8%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Construction traders workers except carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, and construction laborers (21.8%)
  • Other food preparation and serving workers, including supervisors (9.1%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (9.1%)
  • Farmers and farm managers (5.5%)
  • Other health diagnosing and treating practitioners and technical occupations (5.5%)
  • Construction laborers (5.5%)
  • Electricians (5.5%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Cooks and food preparation workers (16.0%)
  • Financial clerks, except bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks (10.0%)
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (8.0%)
  • Occupational and physical therapist assistants and aides (6.0%)
  • Drafters, engineering, and mapping technicians (6.0%)
  • Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks (6.0%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (6.0%)

Average climate in Wadena, Iowa

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Wadena, Iowa average temperatures Wadena, Iowa average precipitation Wadena, Iowa humidity Wadena, Iowa wind speed Wadena, Iowa snowfall Wadena, Iowa sunshine Wadena, Iowa clear and cloudy days

Tornado activity:

Wadena-area historical tornado activity is near Iowa state average. It is 76% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 5/15/1968, a category F5 (max. wind speeds 261-318 mph) tornado 9.8 miles away from the Wadena city center killed 5 people and injured 156 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.

On 7/12/1971, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 25.5 miles away from the city center injured 8 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Wadena-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Iowa state average. It is 96% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 362.2 miles away from Wadena center
On 6/28/2004 at 06:10:52, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 170.6 miles away from Wadena center
On 6/10/1987 at 23:48:54, a magnitude 5.1 (4.9 MB, 4.4 MS, 4.6 MS, 5.1 LG) earthquake occurred 340.9 miles away from Wadena center
On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MW, Depth: 8.9 mi) earthquake occurred 362.3 miles away from Wadena center
On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB) earthquake occurred 292.2 miles away from Wadena center
On 2/10/2010 at 09:59:35, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 172.2 miles away from Wadena center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Fayette County (21) is greater than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 18
Emergencies Declared: 1

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 17, Storms: 16, Tornadoes: 9, Winds: 3, Heavy Rain: 1, Hurricane: 1, Winter Storm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Wadena topographic map

Hospitals and medical centers near Wadena:

  • MAPLE CREST MANOR (Nursing Home, about 8 miles away; FAYETTE, IA)
  • PALMER HOME HEALTH (Home Health Center, about 12 miles away; WEST UNION, IA)
  • PALMER LUTHERAN HEALTH CENTER Critical Access Hospitals (about 12 miles away; WEST UNION, IA)
  • GOOD SAMARITAN CENTER (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; WEST UNION, IA)
  • GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY - WEST UNION (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; WEST UNION, IA)
  • LUTHERAN HOME FOR THE AGED (Nursing Home, about 13 miles away; STRAWBERRY POINT, IA)
  • STRAWBERRY POINT LUTHERAN HOME (Nursing Home, about 13 miles away; STRAWBERRY POINT, IA)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Wadena:

  • Upper Iowa University (about 8 miles; Fayette, IA; Full-time enrollment: 5,275)
  • Northeast Iowa Community College-Calmar (about 26 miles; Calmar, IA; FT enrollment: 3,365)
  • Luther College (about 34 miles; Decorah, IA; FT enrollment: 2,700)
  • Hawkeye Community College (about 45 miles; Waterloo, IA; FT enrollment: 7,160)
  • University of Northern Iowa (about 47 miles; Cedar Falls, IA; FT enrollment: 10,816)
  • University of Wisconsin-Platteville (about 60 miles; Platteville, WI; FT enrollment: 7,679)
  • Kirkwood Community College (about 65 miles; Cedar Rapids, IA; FT enrollment: 11,503)

Library in Wadena:

  • WADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $11,494; Location: 136 S MILL ST; 5,058 books; 466 audio materials; 220 video materials; 13 state licensed databases; 2 print serial subscriptions)

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear city borders

Notable locations in Wadena: Wadena City Hall (A), Wadena Public Library (B), Wadena - Illyria Fire Department (C). Display/hide their locations on the map

Church in Wadena: Wadena Community Presbyterian Church (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Cemetery: Wadena Cemetery (1). Display/hide its location on the map

Creek: Plum Creek (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Fayette County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential
Average household size:
This city:

2.4 people
Iowa:

2.4 people

Percentage of family households:
This city:

61.3%
Whole state:

64.7%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This city:

9.9%
Whole state:

6.7%


No gay or lesbian households reported

Banks with branches in Wadena (2011 data):

  • Elgin State Bank: Wadena Branch at Main Street, branch established on 1936/12/02. Info updated 2006/11/03: Bank assets: $22.2 mil, Deposits: $20.4 mil, headquarters in Elgin, IA, positive income, Agricultural Specialization, 2 total offices, Holding Company: Kellonto Bankshares Corp.

For population 15 years and over in Wadena:

Marital status in Wadena, IA
  • Never married: 24.1%
  • Now married: 40.7%
  • Separated: 0.6%
  • Widowed: 12.5%
  • Divorced: 22.2%

For population 25 years and over in Wadena:

  • High school or higher: 93.5%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 7.1%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 1.8%
  • Unemployed: 7.1%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 27.2 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2022
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2022
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

6.3
Iowa average:

10.5

Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Wadena, IA (based on Fayette County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Mainline Protestant8,43831
Catholic4,0196
Evangelical Protestant1,85424
Other2932
None6,276-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 2
This county:

0.98 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 14
Fayette County:

6.86 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

5.55 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 18
Here:

8.82 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

8.01 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Here:

8.3%
State:

7.8%
Adult obesity rate:
Fayette County:

28.2%
State:

27.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Fayette County:

15.9%
Iowa:

14.5%
Local government employment and payroll (March 2022)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Local Libraries 0$0 2$802
Other Government Administration 0$0 6$1,000
Financial Administration 0$0 1$1,020
Water Supply 0$0 1$1,200
Totals for Government 0$0 10$4,022

Wadena government finances - Expenditure in 2017 (per resident):

  • Current Operations - Local Fire Protection: $48,000 ($234.15)
    Water Utilities: $31,000 ($151.22)
    Sewerage: $27,000 ($131.71)
    Solid Waste Management: $19,000 ($92.68)
    Regular Highways: $16,000 ($78.05)
    Libraries: $16,000 ($78.05)
    General - Other: $13,000 ($63.41)
    Financial Administration: $6,000 ($29.27)
    Parks and Recreation: $6,000 ($29.27)
    Central Staff Services: $3,000 ($14.63)
    Police Protection: $3,000 ($14.63)
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities - Other: $2,000 ($9.76)
    General Public Buildings: $2,000 ($9.76)
  • General - Interest on Debt: $3,000 ($14.63)
  • Intergovernmental to Local - Other - Libraries: $9,000 ($43.90)
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $31,000 ($151.22)

Wadena government finances - Revenue in 2017 (per resident):

  • Charges - Sewerage: $34,000 ($165.85)
    Solid Waste Management: $20,000 ($97.56)
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $20,000 ($97.56)
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $19,000 ($92.68)
    Interest Earnings: $2,000 ($9.76)
    Fines and Forfeits: $1,000 ($4.88)
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $28,000 ($136.59)
  • State Intergovernmental - Highways: $19,000 ($92.68)
    General Local Government Support: $1,000 ($4.88)
  • Tax - Property: $36,000 ($175.61)
    General Sales and Gross Receipts: $19,000 ($92.68)

Wadena government finances - Debt in 2017 (per resident):

  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $97,000 ($473.17)
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $89,000 ($434.15)
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $8,000 ($39.02)

Wadena government finances - Cash and Securities in 2017 (per resident):

  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $166,000 ($809.76)
  • Sinking Funds - Cash and Securities: $160,000 ($780.49)

Strongest AM radio stations in Wadena:

  • KKHQ (950 AM; 5 kW; OELWEIN, IA; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)
  • KXEL (1540 AM; 50 kW; WATERLOO, IA; Owner: KXEL BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)
  • KADR (1400 AM; 1 kW; ELKADER, IA; Owner: DESIGN HOMES, INC.)
  • KCNZ (1250 AM; 10 kW; CEDAR FALLS, IA; Owner: FIFE COMMUNICATION COMPANY, L.C.)
  • WHO (1040 AM; 50 kW; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • WMT (600 AM; 5 kW; CEDAR RAPIDS, IA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KDNZ (1650 AM; 10 kW; CEDAR FALLS, IA; Owner: FIFE COMMUNICATIONS CO., LLC)
  • KWLO (1330 AM; 5 kW; WATERLOO, IA; Owner: KXEL BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)
  • WTMJ (620 AM; 50 kW; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION)
  • WCTS (1030 AM; 50 kW; MAPLEWOOD, MN; Owner: CNTL. BAPT. THEO/AL SEMI MINNEAPOLIS)
  • WSPT (1010 AM; 50 kW; STEVENS POINT, WI)
  • KFAN (1130 AM; 50 kW; MINNEAPOLIS, MN; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
  • WSCR (670 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

Strongest FM radio stations in Wadena:

  • KOEL-FM (92.3 FM; OELWEIN, IA; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)
  • KFMW (107.9 FM; WATERLOO, IA; Owner: KXEL BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)
  • KUNI (90.9 FM; CEDAR FALLS, IA; Owner: UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA)
  • KOKZ (105.7 FM; WATERLOO, IA; Owner: KXEL BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)
  • KNWS-FM (101.9 FM; WATERLOO, IA; Owner: NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE)
  • KCTN (100.1 FM; GARNAVILLO, IA; Owner: DESIGN HOMES, INC.)
  • KVIK (104.7 FM; DECORAH, IA; Owner: WENNES COMMUNICATIONS STATIONS, INC.)
  • KNEI-FM (103.5 FM; WAUKON, IA; Owner: WENNES COMMUNICATIONS STATIONS, INC.)
  • KPVL (89.1 FM; POSTVILLE, IA; Owner: POSTVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE)
  • WQPC (94.3 FM; PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WI; Owner: ROBINSON CORPORATION)
  • KQMG-FM (95.3 FM; INDEPENDENCE, IA; Owner: KEENE OF IOWA, INC.)

TV broadcast stations around Wadena:

  • KWWL (Channel 7; WATERLOO, IA; Owner: RAYCOM AMERICA, INC.)
  • KGAN (Channel 2; CEDAR RAPIDS, IA; Owner: KGAN LICENSEE, LLC)
  • KCRG-TV (Channel 9; CEDAR RAPIDS, IA; Owner: CEDAR RAPIDS TELEVISION CO.)
  • KRIN (Channel 32; WATERLOO, IA; Owner: IOWA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BOARD)
  • KPXR (Channel 48; CEDAR RAPIDS, IA; Owner: PAXSON COMMUNICATIONS LICENSE COMPANY, LLC)

Wadena fatal accident list:

Jul 14, 2018 01:45 AM, Cr-S Mill St, Lat: 42.839792, Lon: -91.656944, Vehicles: 2, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 18Number of bridges
  • 144ft / 44.0mTotal length
  • 2,410Total average daily traffic
  • 247Total average daily truck traffic
  • 2,410Total future (year 2040) average daily traffic
New bridges in Wadena, IA - historical statistics
  • New bridges - historical statistics
  • 11900-1909
  • 21910-1919
  • 11920-1929
  • 31950-1959
  • 21960-1969
  • 21970-1979
  • 11980-1989
  • 31990-1999
  • 32000-2009
See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Wadena, IA

FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers:

1
  • 101 Mill St (Lat: 42.839139 Lon: -91.656556), Call Sign: KNDC786,
    Assigned Frequencies: 154.160 MHz, Grant Date: 08/08/2012, Expiration Date: 08/14/2022, Cancellation Date: 10/15/2022, Registrant: Fayette Electronics & Com, 12251 175th St, Fayette, IA 52142, Phone: (563) 425-3281, Fax: (563) 425-3279, Email:


Most common first names in Wadena, IA among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
Mary680.2 years
John580.6 years
Richard580.8 years
Floyd480.8 years
Lyle475.2 years
Harold471.7 years
Charles470.8 years
Emma376.0 years
Alice377.7 years
Mildred379.6 years
Most common last names in Wadena, IA among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Corkery784.6 years
Flanagan781.1 years
Kuhens677.0 years
Jennings574.6 years
Smock573.2 years
Voshell573.4 years
Bond481.7 years
Anderson477.0 years
Patterson477.7 years
Aeschliman377.0 years
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Wadena, IA
  • 80.2%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 9.9%Wood
  • 3.7%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 2.5%Utility gas
  • 2.5%Other fuel
  • 1.2%Electricity
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Wadena, IA
  • 72.2%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 16.7%Electricity
  • 11.1%Utility gas


Wadena compared to Iowa state average:

  • Median house value below state average.
  • Unemployed percentage below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Median age below state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
  • House age above state average.
  • Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.
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