Wadena ZIP Code List — Wadena County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Wadena, Minnesota and it is 56482. Area code: 218.

ZIP codes

136.24

sq mi land

0.12

sq mi water

218

area code

Wadena, MN ZIP code map

About Wadena, MN

Wadena is a charming city located in Minnesota. It is situated in Wadena County and is known for its friendly community and vibrant local culture. With a rich history and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, Wadena offers a unique blend of small-town charm and natural beauty.

Location & geography

Wadena is positioned in central Minnesota, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and forests. Nearby cities include Staples, located approximately 20 miles to the southeast, Verndale roughly 9 miles to the southwest, and Menahga about 11 miles to the northeast. The city covers a land area of 136.24 square miles, with a small water area of 0.12 square miles, giving it a diverse natural environment.

Community & economy

The community in Wadena is characterized by its close-knit feel and active involvement in local events. The economy is supported by various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and retail services that contribute to the daily life of residents. The city also fosters a welcoming atmosphere, encouraging residents to participate in recreational activities, community gatherings, and local traditions.

Transportation

Wadena is accessible via U.S. Highway 10, which runs east-west, as well as Minnesota State Highway 71, providing convenient connections to surrounding areas. The nearest major airport is in Brainerd, about 40 miles to the southeast, which serves regional flights. Additionally, local infrastructure supports various transit needs within the city.

History

Wadena was founded in the late 19th century and has roots in the timber and agriculture industries, which played a significant role in its early development. Throughout its history, Wadena has experienced growth thanks to the railroad and has seen various events that shaped its community, including natural disasters, such as the devastating tornado in 2010. The city continues to celebrate its heritage while adapting to modern trends.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Wadena is that it was initially named after a nearby river, which is derived from a Native American word meaning 'the place of many trees.' Additionally, the city's round barn, built in 1910, is an iconic landmark that attracts visitors and is a testament to its agricultural heritage.

ZIP codes for Wadena, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56482	Wadena	Wadena	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,456

Population

39.0

Median age

$54,310

Median household income

$28,486

Per capita income

$163,500

Median home value

$660

Median monthly rent

64.9%

Home ownership

13.9%

Poverty rate

7.8%

Unemployment

2,266

Housing units

17.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

239

Under 5

236

288

5–9

284

256

10–14

253

313

15–19

308

205

20–24

202

425

25–34

420

365

35–44

359

501

45–54

495

186

55–59

184

305

60–64

301

375

65–74

369

194

75–84

191

102

85+

100

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,931	25.9%
18 and over	5,525	74.1%
65 and over	1,331	17.9%
Median age	39.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 90.4%

Two or more races 5.1%

Hispanic or Latino 2.7%

Other race 0.8%

Black or African American 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	6,928	90.4%
Two or more races	392	5.1%
Hispanic or Latino	204	2.7%
Other race	61	0.8%
Black or African American	46	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	26	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 3.3%

$10k–$15k 4.7%

$15k–$25k 18.3%

$25k–$35k 7.0%

$35k–$50k 10.6%

$50k–$75k 19.3%

$75k–$100k 14.3%

$100k–$150k 17.1%

$150k–$200k 2.7%

$200k+ 2.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.3%
$10k–$15k	4.7%
$15k–$25k	18.3%
$25k–$35k	7.0%
$35k–$50k	10.6%
$50k–$75k	19.3%
$75k–$100k	14.3%
$100k–$150k	17.1%
$150k–$200k	2.7%
$200k+	2.6%
Median income	$54,310

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.3%

$50k–$100k 19.9%

$100k–$150k 19.5%

$150k–$200k 22.9%

$200k–$300k 17.7%

$300k–$500k 14.8%

$500k–$1M 2.7%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$163,500
Median rent / month	$660
Owner occupied	64.9%
Renter occupied	35.1%
Vacant	8.6%
Single-family detached	69.4%
Large apartment buildings	10.9%
Mobile homes	2.6%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.67

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.9%
2010–2019	10.1%
2000–2009	8.0%
1990–1999	9.6%
1980–1989	7.7%
1970–1979	14.5%
1960–1969	11.9%
1950–1959	12.2%
1940–1949	3.3%
1939 or earlier	21.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	12.8%
1 bedroom	9.4%
2 bedrooms	14.3%
3 bedrooms	36.4%
4 bedrooms	18.5%
5+ bedrooms	8.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	13.3%
1 vehicle	26.1%
2 vehicles	27.7%
3 or more	33.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	39.1%
Electricity	32.0%
Propane / LP gas	14.1%
Fuel oil	5.3%
Wood	7.3%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,458	47.8%
Cohabiting couple	140	4.6%
Male householder, no spouse	648	21.3%
Female householder, no spouse	803	26.3%
Households with children under 18	963	31.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	893	29.3%
Average household size	2.36

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	34.6%	31.2%
Married	49.7%	49.4%
Separated	0.4%	2.0%
Widowed	1.8%	7.4%
Divorced	13.5%	10.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.4%

Some HS, no diploma 4.1%

HS graduate 34.4%

Some college, no degree 22.9%

Associate's degree 17.4%

Bachelor's degree 14.6%

Graduate / professional 3.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.4%
Bachelor's or higher	17.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	93	4.8%
Kindergarten	162	8.4%
Elementary school	854	44.3%
High school	449	23.3%
College / grad school	368	19.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.5%

Manufacturing 15.5%

Construction 10.6%

Retail trade 10.6%

Agriculture & mining 8.9%

Other services 6.9%

Wholesale trade 5.6%

Transportation & utilities 4.2%

Professional & management 4.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.9%

Finance & real estate 2.8%

Public administration 2.3%

Information 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	26.7%
Service	17.2%
Sales & office	18.9%
Natural resources & construction	17.1%
Production & transportation	20.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.4%
Government	8.5%
Self-employed	13.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.4%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.1%
Carpool	9.0%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	1.4%
Other means	0.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.1

Poverty

All people 13.9%

Under 18 years 17.8%

18 and over 12.5%

Married-couple families 4.3%

Female-led households 13.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.5%
Retirement income	21.3%
Supplemental Security	5.2%
Cash public assistance	9.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	20.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.4%
High cholesterol	32.9%
Heart disease	8.5%
Stroke	4.2%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	28.2%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	8.1%
Cancer	8.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.7%
No physical activity	25.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.2%
Fair or poor health	16.3%
Poor mental health	14.4%
Poor physical health	12.1%
No health insurance	12.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.5%
Visited dentist	60.3%
Cholesterol screening	88.4%
Teeth loss	15.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	344	6.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.5%
Under 18	5.8%
18–64 years	13.6%
65 and over	42.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	53.6%
Public insurance	53.7%
Uninsured under 19	3.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	6,981	93.6%
Spanish	192	2.8%
Other Indo-European	11	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	60	0.9%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,277	97.6%
Born in same state	7,271	97.5%
Born in different state	5,642	75.7%
Foreign born	6	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	179	2.4%
Not a US citizen	40	22.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	937	12.6%
Italian	510	6.8%
French	379	5.1%
Arab	322	4.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	194	2.6%
English	116	1.6%
Dutch	32	0.4%
Irish	13	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.9%
Internet access	92.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Wadena, MN?

Wadena, MN has one ZIP code: 56482.

What is the main ZIP code for Wadena, MN?

The primary ZIP code for Wadena, MN is 56482. The city uses area code 218 for phone service.

What county is Wadena, MN in?

Wadena is located in Wadena County, Minnesota.

How many ZIP codes are in Wadena, MN?

Wadena, MN has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Wadena and the historic main business district?

Downtown Wadena and its historic main business district are located in ZIP code 56482, which serves as the central hub for the city's commercial and civic activities.

What ZIP code covers Wadena City Hall and the Wadena County government offices?

Wadena City Hall and the Wadena County government offices are both located in ZIP code 56482, the primary ZIP code serving Wadena's municipal and administrative center.