Wadena, MN Demographics

A map of Wadena's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	3,444	3,894	77.9%	90.0%
Multiracial	687	171	15.5%	4.0%
Hispanic	200	121	4.5%	2.8%
Black	81	65	1.8%	1.5%
Native American/Other	7	50	0.2%	1.2%
Asian	0	24	0.0%	0.6%

Wadena, Minnesota has an estimated population of 4,419, a slight increase from the 4,325 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 77.9% White, 15.5% Multiracial, 4.5% Hispanic, 1.8% Black, 0.2% Native American/Other, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Wadena, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Wadena has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Minnesota overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Wadena, that probability was 18.7% in 2020 and 36.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Wadena is ranked the 167th most populous place in Minnesota, out of 915 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Wadena was ranked the 166th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Wadena's White Population

3,444 residents of Wadena, or 77.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Wadena is comparable to the share in Minnesota overall, where 75.9% of the population is White. Wadena ranks 474th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wadena's White population has declined by an estimated 11.6%. White residents' share of Wadena's population has decreased from 90.0% to 77.9%.

Wadena is more White than neighboring Hewitt (76% White). Wadena is less White than neighboring Bluffton (81% White), Verndale (92.5% White), Sebeka (90.3% White), and Bertha (88.2% White).

Wadena's Black Population

81 residents of Wadena, or 1.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Wadena is lower than in Minnesota overall, where 6.9% of the population is Black. Wadena ranks 176th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wadena's Black population has grown by an estimated 24.6%. Black residents' share of Wadena's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.8%.

Wadena is more Black than neighboring Bluffton (0% Black), Sebeka (0% Black), and Bertha (0% Black). Wadena is less Black than neighboring Verndale (4.2% Black), and Hewitt (2.1% Black).

Wadena's Asian Population

0 residents of Wadena, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Wadena is lower than in Minnesota overall, where 5.1% of the population is Asian. Wadena ranks 372nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wadena's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Wadena's population has decreased from 0.6% to 0.0%.

Wadena is less Asian than neighboring Bluffton (0.8% Asian), Verndale (0.2% Asian), and Sebeka (1.2% Asian).

Wadena's Hispanic Population

200 residents of Wadena, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Wadena is comparable to the share in Minnesota overall, where 6.4% of the population is Hispanic. Wadena ranks 461st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wadena's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 65.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Wadena's population has increased from 2.8% to 4.5%.

Wadena is more Hispanic than neighboring Verndale (0% Hispanic), Hewitt (1.4% Hispanic), Sebeka (0.8% Hispanic), and Bertha (2.7% Hispanic). Wadena is less Hispanic than neighboring Bluffton (13.7% Hispanic).

Wadena's Native American/Other Population

7 residents of Wadena, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Wadena is comparable to the share in Minnesota overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Wadena ranks 268th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wadena's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 86.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Wadena's population has decreased from 1.2% to 0.2%.

Wadena is more Native American/Other than neighboring Bluffton (0% Native American/Other), Verndale (0% Native American/Other), Hewitt (0% Native American/Other), and Sebeka (0% Native American/Other). Wadena is less Native American/Other than neighboring Bertha (3.6% Native American/Other).

Wadena's Multiracial Population

687 residents of Wadena, or 15.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Wadena is considerably higher than in Minnesota overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Wadena ranks 361st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 915 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wadena's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 301.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Wadena's population has increased from 4.0% to 15.5%.

Wadena is more Multiracial than neighboring Bluffton (4.6% Multiracial), Verndale (3.1% Multiracial), Sebeka (7.6% Multiracial), and Bertha (5.5% Multiracial). Wadena is less Multiracial than neighboring Hewitt (20.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.