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Wathena, KS
City in Doniphan County, Kansas.
Population
1,554
Land area
2.3sq mi
People per sq mi
663
ZIP codes
0
Wathena and its ZIP codes
Wathena at a glance
- Wathena is about 18 times as dense as Kansas as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $87,222 a year, 17% more than the Kansas figure of $74,275.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $161,800 (26% below Kansas) and median rent is $428 a month.
Local data for Wathena, KS
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Wathena, KS, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$87,222
Poverty rate
5.6%
Median home value
$161,800
Median rent
$428/mo
Homeownership
83.6%
Bachelor's or higher
17.7%
Median age
46.2
Average commute
20.7 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (431), Irish Americans (210), French Americans (108).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Doniphan County. PPP loans are for Wathena.
Unemployment rate
3.8%
Sep 2026, 0.0 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$54,921
2,817 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$53,873
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$59M
FY 2026, $7,860 per person
How people get to work
Wathena, KS, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone79.5%
- Carpooled12.3%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.9%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other2.5%
- Worked from home3.9%
Average one-way commute: 20.7 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Wathena, KS, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
223
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
61
1.5% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
88° / 17°F
34.8 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Wathena, KS, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
38.2%
U.S. 33.3% +4.9 pts
Diabetes
11.8%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
16.1%
U.S. 12.8% +3.3 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
7.8%
U.S. 11.1% -3.3 pts
Cities near Wathena
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| ElwoodCity | 3.1 mi | 2.9 |
| St. Joseph, MOCity | 7.1 mi | 44 |
| TroyCity | 8.5 mi | 1 |
| Country Club, MOVillage | 8.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Amazonia, MOVillage | 9.3 mi | 0.4 |
| De Kalb, MOTown | 12 mi | 0.3 |
| Agency, MOVillage | 12 mi | 3.7 |
| BendenaCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 1.5 |
| Rushville, MOVillage | 13 mi | 0.2 |
| Faucett, MOCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 1 |
| Savannah, MOCity | 14 mi | 3.3 |
| Cosby, MOVillage | 16 mi | 0.1 |
| Easton, MOCity | 16 mi | 0.6 |
| SeveranceCity | 16 mi | 0.1 |
| Lewis and Clark Village, MOTown | 16 mi | 0.6 |
| AtchisonCity | 17 mi | 8 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Wathena, KS in?
- Wathena is in Doniphan County, Kansas.
- What is the population of Wathena, KS?
- About 1,554 people live in Wathena, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Wathena?
- Nearby places include Elwood (3.1 mi), St. Joseph, MO (7.1 mi), Troy (8.5 mi), Country Club, MO (8.7 mi), Amazonia, MO (9.3 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023