Wathena, Kansas
City · Population 1,260 · #166 in Kansas
About Wathena
Wathena is a small town in northeastern Kansas counting 1,260 people who proudly call it home.
Officially, Wathena is an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 2.34 square miles, giving it a balanced suburban layout with room to breathe at roughly 538 residents per square mile.
📰 Wathena News Today
- Debra "Debi" Miles, of Wathena, KS MSC News · Aug 15
- James M. "Jim" Jones Obituary (1947 - 2026) - Wathena, KS - KQ2 Legacy obituary · May 27
- Obituary information for Jonathan Leo Bokay Meierhoffer Funeral Home · Jan 8
- Joseph Zaragoza Obituary Apr 18, 2010 Van Hoe Funeral Home · Feb 7
- Carl Arnold July 31, 1933-May 5, 2026 St Joseph Post · May 8
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Wathena Unique
- The only place in America named Wathena — a truly one-of-a-kind name among 32,000+ US communities.
- Positioned in northeastern Kansas, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
- Part of the fabric of Kansas — one of 740 recognized communities statewide.
Why People Love It Here
- A tight community feel that bigger cities can't replicate.
- Housing dollars stretch further here than in the nearest metro.
- Easy reach of St. Joseph (6 mi) — commute to the city, live where it's calm.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Wathena
- Pizza Hut — pizza
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🏫 Schools in Wathena
- Riverside High School
- Riverside Middle School
- Riverside Virtual High School
Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.
⚡ Quick Facts
StateKansas
TypeCity
Population (2024)1,260
Rank in state#166 of 626
Land area2.34 sq mi
Density538/sq mi
Coordinates39.7611, -94.9275