Wadena County, Minnesota

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,406 km² (543 mi²). 1,386 km² (535 mi²) of it is land and 21 km² (8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.47% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 13,713 people, 5,426 households, and 3,608 families residing in the county. The population density is 10/km² (26/mi²). There are 6,334 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (12/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 97.89% White, 0.48% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 5,426 households out of which 30.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% are married couples living together, 7.60% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% are non-families. 29.20% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 3.02.

In the county the population is spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 23.60% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $30,651, and the median income for a family is $38,618. Males have a median income of $28,424 versus $21,027 for females. The per capita income for the county is $15,146. 14.10% of the population and 9.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 15.40% are under the age of 18 and 12.60% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Aldrich Township
• Aldrich
• Blueberry Township
• Bullard Township
• Huntersville Township
• Leaf River Township
• Lyons Township
• Meadow Township
• Menahga
• Nimrod
• North Germany Township
• Orton Township
• Red Eye Township
• Rockwood Township
• Sebeka
• Shell River Township
• Thomastown Township
• Verndale
• Wadena Township
• Wing River Township