Townapedia
Fruit Growers Association Building, Wathena, Kansas
Fruit Growers Association Building, Wathena, Kansas · Kristi Bender, CC BY-SA 3.0
2011 Missouri River Flood (5998404855)
2011 Missouri River Flood (5998404855) · Kansas City District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain
STJ ROSECRANS MEMORIAL AIRPORT FLIGHT CDG-IAH 777 F-GSQM (10316249825)
STJ ROSECRANS MEMORIAL AIRPORT FLIGHT CDG-IAH 777 F-GSQM (10316249825) · Eric Salard, CC BY-SA 2.0

Wathena, Kansas

Wathena is a city of 1,554 people in Doniphan County, Kansas.

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Population1,554 +0.5% since 2019
Elevation827 ft 252 m
Land area2.3 sq mi
ZIP code66090
Nearest airportRosecrans Memorial Airport (STJ) 1 mi

Why visit Wathena

Townapedia lists 1 park or trail and 1 place to eat in and around town.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 88°F; January lows average 17°F.

About Wathena

Wathena is a city in Doniphan County, Kansas, United States, located about 5 miles (8.0 km) west of St. Joseph, Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 1,246.

From the Wikipedia article Wathena, Kansas (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Parks, trails and playgrounds1

Elwood Wildlife Area

Hiking and trails · 1.4 mi

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Restaurants and cafes1

Pizza Hut

Restaurant · Pizza · 1.6 mi

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Gas and EV charging2

Casey's General Store

Gas station · 1.2 mi

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Conoco

Gas station · 0.9 mi

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Schools, colleges and libraries26

Benton High

School · 5.0 mi

5655 S Fourth, St Joseph

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Bode Middle

School · 5.4 mi

720 N Noyes Blvd, St Joseph

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Carden Park Elem

School · 4.5 mi

1510 Duncan, St. Joseph

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Central High

School · 5.2 mi

2602 Edmond, St Joseph

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Edison Elem.

School · 5.0 mi

515 N 22Nd, St Joseph

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Field Elem.

School · 5.6 mi

2602 Gene Field, St Joseph

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Helen M Davis School

School · 5.6 mi

2900 Scott St, St Joseph

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Hosea Elem.

School · 4.9 mi

6401 Gordon St, St Joseph

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Hyde Elem.

School · 5.1 mi

509 Thompson, St Joseph

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Lafayette High

School · 4.1 mi

412 Highland Ave, St Joseph

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Lake Early Learning Center

School · 4.1 mi

1800 Alabama, St. Joseph

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Lindbergh Elem.

School · 4.5 mi

2812 St Joseph Ave, St Joseph

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14 more on the map.

History

Wathena was founded in 1856. The city is named in honor of Chief Wathena, a Native American chief of the Kickapoo tribe who previously lived in the area.

The first post office in Wathena was established in 1855, but before August, 1859, the post office was called Bryan.

The St. Joseph & Denver Railroad was extended to Wathena in 1860.

From the History section of Wathena, Kansas on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Map of Wathena

30 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

20°40°60°80°January: 0.7 in of rainFebruary: 0.9 in of rainMarch: 2.1 in of rainApril: 3.7 in of rainMay: 4.9 in of rainJune: 4.8 in of rainJuly: 4.7 in of rainAugust: 3.8 in of rainSeptember: 3.2 in of rainOctober: 2.8 in of rainNovember: 1.9 in of rainDecember: 1.2 in of rainJanuary: 37°FFebruary: 43°FMarch: 55°FApril: 66°FMay: 76°FJune: 85°FJuly: 88°FAugust: 86°FSeptember: 80°FOctober: 68°FNovember: 53°FDecember: 41°FJanuary: 17°FFebruary: 21°FMarch: 32°FApril: 42°FMay: 54°FJune: 64°FJuly: 67°FAugust: 64°FSeptember: 54°FOctober: 43°FNovember: 31°FDecember: 21°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRain
Jan37°F17°F0.7 in
Feb43°F21°F0.9 in
Mar55°F32°F2.1 in
Apr66°F42°F3.7 in
May76°F54°F4.9 in
Jun85°F64°F4.8 in
Jul88°F67°F4.7 in
Aug86°F64°F3.8 in
Sep80°F54°F3.2 in
Oct68°F43°F2.8 in
Nov53°F31°F1.9 in
Dec41°F21°F1.2 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for St Joseph Rosecrans Ap 72449 (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$87,222median household income
$161,800median home value
$428median monthly rent
46.2median age
17.7%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
83.6%of homes are owner-occupied
20.7 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1820%18 to 3415%35 to 6446%65 and over19%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Doniphan County has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.

  • 2024-09-24: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2022-02-17: Severe Storms And Straight Line Winds (Severe Storm)
  • 2020-03-29: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2019-06-20: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,Landslides,And Mudslides (Severe Storm)
  • 2019-05-28: Tornadoes And Flooding (Severe Storm)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Rosecrans Memorial Airport (STJ) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 1 miles away.

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.