Population 2,194 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Wathena
Household size in Wathena
| Period | Wathena | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.54 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.40 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.35 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.52 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.02 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Wathena has 2.52 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. That is in line with the rest of Kansas.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Wathena
| Period | Wathena | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.8 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.2 | 37.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.8 | 38.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.8 | 38.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +1.4 | +2.3 |
Wathena skews older: half of its residents are older than 44.8, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 42.8 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Wathena
| Period | Wathena | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.7% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.7% | 10.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.2 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.5% of households in Wathena, well below the national share of 11.6%.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Wathena
Renters in Wathena
| Period | Wathena | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.6% | 30.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.1% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.1% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 17.0% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.6 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 17.0% of households in Wathena rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 46.4% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Wathena
| Period | Wathena | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.1% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.7% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.7% | 11.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.3% | 9.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Wathena: 16.3% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Wathena
| Period | Wathena | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1968 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1971 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1968 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1967 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | −1 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Wathena is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1967, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Wathena
| Period | Wathena | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $643 | $769 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $708 | $858 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $832 | $950 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $751 | $1,159 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$108 | +$390 | +$606 |
Rent in Wathena runs $751 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent takes 24.7% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Wathena
Bachelor's degrees in Wathena
| Period | Wathena | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.2% | 30.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.5% | 31.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.3% | 33.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.3% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.1 pts | +4.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Wathena: 24.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Wathena
| Period | Wathena | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.2% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.8% | 90.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.5% | 90.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.5% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.3 pts | +2.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Wathena: 95.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Wathena
| Period | Wathena | Kansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 6.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.1% | 6.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 0.4% | 4.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.7% | 4.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.8 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Wathena has been strong: just 1.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Wathena compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wathena | 2.52 | 44.8 | 8.5% | 17.0% | 16.3% | 1967 | $751 | 24.3% | 95.5% | 1.7% |
| Palermo | 2.30 | 43.5 | 9.4% | 9.5% | 20.4% | 1953 | $848 | 40.8% | 95.3% | 0.0% |
| Elwood | 2.81 | 33.8 | 15.1% | 32.1% | 12.8% | 1982 | $799 | 7.4% | 88.9% | 3.4% |
| Troy | 2.45 | 42.3 | 6.6% | 18.1% | 11.8% | 1957 | $771 | 18.2% | 91.6% | 1.1% |
| St. Joseph | 2.45 | 40.6 | 13.2% | 34.8% | 12.7% | 1963 | $933 | 24.6% | 90.0% | 4.2% |
| Country Club | 2.67 | 40.8 | 11.3% | 30.7% | 3.8% | 1980 | $1,095 | 28.5% | 96.6% | 2.7% |
| Nodaway | 2.70 | 40.2 | 15.8% | 20.7% | 15.5% | 1986 | $1,089 | 11.9% | 89.7% | 4.2% |
| Amazonia | 2.68 | 38.5 | 16.0% | 18.0% | 13.1% | 1986 | $1,062 | 14.7% | 89.6% | 3.8% |
| Doniphan | 2.42 | 39.6 | 8.3% | 10.3% | 17.6% | 1975 | $1,064 | 25.9% | 94.5% | 0.4% |
| Moray | 2.34 | 41.0 | 5.4% | 10.7% | 15.4% | 1956 | $862 | 25.8% | 92.5% | 0.0% |
| Bendena | 2.36 | 38.6 | 9.6% | 10.3% | 18.5% | 1979 | $1,160 | 29.0% | 96.1% | 0.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Welches, OR · Fairfield Bay, AR · Fancy Farm, KY · Flovilla, GA · Foreman, AR · Fountain, NC · Friendship, NY · Grant Park, IL · Whitelaw, WI · Baker, MT
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Wathena. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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