About Wadena
Set in the northeastern part of Iowa, Wadena is a tiny community, home to 201 residents as of the latest Census estimates.
Officially, Wadena is an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 0.75 square miles, giving it wide-open spaces and a spread-out, rural feel at roughly 268 residents per square mile.
📰 Wadena News Today
- Stanley A. Yearous, Wadena, Iowa, May 8, 2026 Grau Funeral Homes · May 8
- Stanley Yearous Obituary (1938 - 2026) - Wadena, IA - Oelwein Daily Register Legacy obituary · May 13
- Dona Matthiesen Obituary (1934 - 2026) - Wadena, IA - Oelwein Daily Register Legacy obituary · Mar 3
- Monthly Weather Forecast for Wadena, Iowa 52169 The Weather Channel · Dec 28
- Joe Raymond Bunn, Wadena, Iowa, November 27, 2025 Grau Funeral Homes · Nov 27
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Wadena Unique
- Positioned in northeastern Iowa, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
- Part of the fabric of Iowa — one of 1,026 recognized communities statewide.
Why People Love It Here
- Quiet streets and a slower rhythm — the kind of place people move to on purpose.
- Housing dollars stretch further here than in the nearest metro.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 8 miles.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Wadena
- Barney's
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
⚡ Quick Facts
StateIowa
TypeCity
Population (2024)201
Rank in state#661 of 940
Land area0.75 sq mi
Density268/sq mi
Coordinates42.8397, -91.6594