Wathena, Kansas

Wathena is a city in Doniphan County, Kansas, United States. The population was 1,348 at the 2000 census. It is part of the St. Joseph, MO–KS Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named for Wathena, a Native American chief of the Kickapoo tribe who once lived on the townsite.

Geography
Wathena is located at °N, °W (39.762161, -94.948117).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.1 km²), all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,348 people, 524 households, and 345 families residing in the city. The population density was 690.6 people per square mile (266.9/km²). There were 566 housing units at an average density of 290.0 per square mile (112.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.48% White, 0.67% African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.30% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population.

There were 524 households out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,046, and the median income for a family was $40,216. Males had a median income of $31,618 versus $20,800 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,440. About 5.5% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 17.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Most children living in Wathena attend Wathena Schools USD #406.