Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Wadena has a population of around 1,269 people. The town's population is in decreased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Wadena has decreased by ▼ -1.48%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,288 | 1,269 | --1.48% |
2026 Population Projection
Wadena's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 1,269 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Wadena Population Trend & Context
Wadena is the 79th-largest town in Saskatchewan, with a 2021 census population of 1,269 — a decline of 19 (▼ 1.48%) people from the 1,288 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has seen a slight decline over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Saskatchewan towns. The town's median age of 52.4 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
How does Wadena compare to other Saskatchewan towns?
- Estevan No. 5: 1,279 (2021)
- Beaver River No. 622: 1,277 (2021)
- Wadena: 1,269 (2021) ← 79th largest
- Osler: 1,251 (2021)
- Frenchman Butte No. 501: 1,250 (2021)
Population By Genders
The male population of Wadena is around 605 while the female population is around 660.
Of the 1,269 total population in Wadena, the largest gender is female with around 660 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 605 | 660 | -8.33% |
Is Wadena a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Wadena compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Saskatchewan, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.
Employment & Economy
Income & Affordability
Commute
Housing Character
Household Composition
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.
Wadena Population Compared to Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's population in 2021 was 1,132,505, spread across the area. Here's how Wadena compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Wadena | Saskatchewan |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,600 | $82,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% | 8.4% |
| Median age | 52.4 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.7% | 23.2% |
| Immigrants (%) | 3.7% | 12.5% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Wadena has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 55 to 59 years old, accounting for 7.90% of the total population. The town median age is 52.40.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 to 59 years | 60 9.90% | 40 6.10% | 33.33% | 100 7.90% |
| 65 to 69 years | 45 7.40% | 55 8.30% | 18.18% | 100 7.90% |
| 60 to 64 years | 50 8.30% | 50 7.60% | 0.00% | 95 7.50% |
| 85 years and over | 30 5.00% | 60 9.10% | 50.00% | 90 7.10% |
| 80 to 84 years | 30 5.00% | 50 7.60% | 40.00% | 80 6.30% |
| 25 to 29 years | 40 6.60% | 35 5.30% | 12.50% | 75 5.90% |
| 30 to 34 years | 40 6.60% | 35 5.30% | 12.50% | 75 5.90% |
| 70 to 74 years | 30 5.00% | 40 6.10% | 25.00% | 75 5.90% |
| 10 to 14 years | 35 5.80% | 30 4.50% | 14.29% | 70 5.50% |
| 75 to 79 years | 25 4.10% | 40 6.10% | 37.50% | 65 5.10% |
| 5 to 9 years | 40 6.60% | 30 4.50% | 25.00% | 65 5.10% |
| 35 to 39 years | 30 5.00% | 35 5.30% | 14.29% | 60 4.70% |
| 40 to 44 years | 25 4.10% | 35 5.30% | 28.57% | 60 4.70% |
| 50 to 54 years | 25 4.10% | 35 5.30% | 28.57% | 60 4.70% |
| 0 to 4 years | 30 5.00% | 25 3.80% | 16.67% | 55 4.30% |
| Median age of the population | 49 48.80% | 55 55.20% | 12.68% | 52 52.40% |
| 15 to 19 years | 25 4.10% | 30 4.50% | 16.67% | 50 4.00% |
| Average age of the population | 46 46.00% | 51 51.20% | 9.77% | 49 48.70% |
| 20 to 24 years | 20 3.30% | 25 3.80% | 20.00% | 45 3.60% |
| 85 to 89 years | 15 2.50% | 30 4.50% | 50.00% | 45 3.60% |
| 45 to 49 years | 25 4.10% | 20 3.00% | 20.00% | 40 3.20% |
Broader Age Groups
If the town's population is divided into broader age groups, most of the population falls into the 15 to 64 years age group. The group accounts for 53.00% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 32.40% and 15.00%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Wadena are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 years and over | 28.10% | 37.10% | 32.40% |
| 0 to 14 years | 17.40% | 12.90% | 15.00% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Wadena
Explore Wadena Through Videos
Population of Wadena by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Wadena is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Wadena is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the town appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Wadena are German, which accounts for 33.61% of the total population, followed by Ukrainian (33.20%), Scottish (23.65%), English (19.92%), and Polish (17.43%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Wadena include Norwegian, Irish, Swedish, Icelandic, and French.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| German | 33.60% | 34.78% | 33.61% |
| Ukrainian | 32.80% | 34.78% | 33.20% |
| Scottish | 25.60% | 21.74% | 23.65% |
| English | 21.60% | 18.26% | 19.92% |
| Polish | 24.00% | 10.43% | 17.43% |
| Norwegian | 13.60% | 18.26% | 15.77% |
| Irish | 13.60% | 12.17% | 12.45% |
| Swedish | 13.60% | 9.57% | 11.62% |
| Icelandic | 7.20% | 6.96% | 7.05% |
| French | 8.80% | 1.74% | 5.39% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Wadena's population profile.
About 3.7% of Wadena's population are immigrants (45 people).
The top countries of origin for Wadena's immigrant population are Ukraine (15), Serbia (0), United Kingdom (0), Algeria (0), Congo, Democratic Republic of the (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Ukraine | 15 |
| Serbia | 0 |
| United Kingdom | 0 |
| Algeria | 0 |
| Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 0 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 505 of Wadena's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 21.05% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 18.20% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 4.95%, 3.30%, and 2.50%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 255 | 21.05% |
| 2 persons | 220 | 18.20% |
| 3 persons | 60 | 4.95% |
| 4 persons | 40 | 3.30% |
| 5 or more persons | 30 | 2.50% |
Income in Wadena
Analyzing income distribution in Wadena can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Wadena is $38,800.
A region's per capita data sheds light on the average income earned per person living in it. Since per capita income is calculated by dividing the region's total income by its population, it quantifies the population's economic situation on an individual basis.
Such data offers insights into the town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Wadena population or around 145 people falls in the $30,000 to $49,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $50,000 to $79,999 with around 125 and 115 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Wadena's median household income is $57,600, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Wadena's median household income is 26,400 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the town's economic landscape as well as the living standards of its population.
Analyzing such data enables researchers, policymakers, and businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the town's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Wadena
This data sheds light on the distribution of Wadena residents across educational milestones.
Such information is crucial in shaping the province’s policies on education, workforce development strategies, and initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
49.30% or most of the Wadena population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 37.65% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 12.50% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 9.70% has Bachelor's degree or higher.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 320 | 410 | 740 | 49.30% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 335 | 240 | 580 | 37.65% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 120 | 110 | 230 | 12.50% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 50 | 90 | 145 | 9.70% |
Below national average 9.7% of Wadena's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Wadena
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Wadena. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Wadena is at 1.92% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 53.85% |
| Unemployment rate | 1.92% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the town who work as an employee. The majority of Wadena's population (around 71.80%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 75 men and 15 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 90.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 75 | 15 | 90 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Wadena industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Wadena is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Wadena has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (21%) works in the retail trade sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 12%, followed by Wholesale trade at 10%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 55 | 60 | 21% |
| Health care and social assistance | 10 | 65 | 12% |
| Wholesale trade | 45 | 10 | 10% |
| Construction | 55 | 0 | 9% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 40 | 0 | 9% |
| Educational services | 10 | 30 | 7% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 35 | 10 | 7% |
| Finance and insurance | 10 | 15 | 5% |
| Public administration | 15 | 15 | 5% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 10 | 10 | 3% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 15 | 10 | 3% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 0 | 3% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 2% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Manufacturing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Wadena residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Wadena: -45 Retail trade (21%), Health care and social assistance (12%), Wholesale trade (10%)
Top occupation categories in Wadena: Sales and service occupations (34%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (21%), Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations (11%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the town. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Wadena residents travel to school or work. It highlights the frequency of different modes of transportation like walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit.
The data is pivotal in the making of transportation policies as well as the development of transit systems. Ultimately commuting data contributes to improving the quality of life of Wadena residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Wadena spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the town's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the town.
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Wadenashed light on its societal dynamics. It captures the diverse types of marital statuses of the population.
Long-term commitments, such as common-law partnerships, civil unions, and marriages, reflect the town's social fabric. We can gain insights into Wadena's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights town's linguistic diversity, showing elegances of solo language as well as bilingual harmonies. Other than language, it also shows the cultural landscape in Canada.
English is the most spoken official language in Wadena. About 1,200 people living in the province speak English, 5 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 1,200 |
| French | 5 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Mother Tongue & Home Language
Useful for newcomers researching an area: this shows the language residents first learned at home in childhood (mother tongue) and the language they speak most often at home now, which can differ as families settle in.
| Language | Mother Tongue | Spoken Most Often at Home |
|---|---|---|
| English | 91.7% | 97.5% |
| Non-official languages | 7.1% | 2.1% |
| French | 0.4% | 0.0% |
Religion
Wadena is predominantly Christian. About 595 of its population is Christian (280 males and 280 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Buddhist with 0.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 49.4% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Wadena
Hospitals
Other Towns in Saskatchewan
- Nipawin 4,570
- Kindersley 4,567
- Battleford 4,400
- White City 3,702
- Tisdale 2,962
- Moosomin 2,657
- Pilot Butte 2,638
- La Ronge 2,521
- Rosetown 2,507
- Unity 2,496
- Outlook 2,336
- Assiniboia 2,333
- Maple Creek 2,176
- Biggar 2,133
- Canora 2,092
- Fort Qu'Appelle 1,972
- Indian Head 1,902
- Watrous 1,842
- Lumsden 1,800
- Shaunavon 1,784
- Kamsack 1,779
- Dalmeny 1,766
- Balgonie 1,756
- Wynyard 1,724
- Rosthern 1,602
- Carlyle 1,524
- Langham 1,518
- Shellbrook 1,510
- Lanigan 1,433
- Hudson Bay 1,403
- Regina Beach 1,292
- Oxbow 1,286
- Osler 1,251
- Macklin 1,247
- Waldheim 1,237
- Langenburg 1,228
- Maidstone 1,209
- Creighton 1,203
- Wilkie 1,195
- Foam Lake 1,183
- Carnduff 1,150
- Birch Hills 1,066
- Preeceville 1,062
- Grenfell 1,059
- Davidson 1,044
- Delisle 1,024
- Redvers 1,008
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- Carrot River 946
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- Leader 881
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- Porcupine Plain 817
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- Herbert 770
- Ituna 726
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- Watson 707
- Milestone 682
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- Ponteix 577
- Luseland 559
- Wawota 555
- Cut Knife 547
- Broadview 541
- Hanley 540
- Marshall 522
- Leroy 510
- Midale 510
- Blaine Lake 509
- Raymore 507
- Rouleau 505
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- Eatonia 498
- Yellow Grass 483
- Springside 478
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- Zealandia 75
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Frequently Asked Questions about Wadena
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Wadena has a population of 1,269 people, making it the 79th town in Saskatchewan. The population declined moderately from 1,288 in 2016, a decrease of 19 people or 1.48%. The town has a population density of 423.8 people per km² across a land area of 2.99 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Wadena's population declined by 1.48% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 1,288 to 1,269 people, a loss of 19 residents. This stability is characteristic of many mid-sized other Saskatchewan towns during this period. The median age of 52.40 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (42.1%) may indicate young adults leaving for larger centres. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Wadena has a population density of approximately 423.80 people per square kilometre.
Wadena covers a land area of approximately 2.99 km².
The median age of the population in Wadena is 52.40 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Wadena is German.
The median household income in Wadena is $57,600, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Wadena.
Christian is the predominant religion in Wadena.
Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca) conducted the 2026 Census of Population in May 2026. However, census data goes through an extensive processing, validation, and quality-assurance period before public release. Based on the release plan, the 2026 Census results begin rolling out on February 10, 2027, with complete community-level profiles available by December 1, 2027. Until then, this page uses 2021 Census data as its primary source, supplemented by a population projection estimate for 2026 calculated using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from the 2016–2021 Census period.