Wadena County
| Year | 100/20 Mbps | 1 Gbps |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #11 – 99.32% | #35 – 65.67% |
| 2024 | #7 – 99.49% | |
| 2023 | #8 – 99.32% | |
| 2022 | #7 – 98.88% | |
| 2021 | #13 – 97.29% | |
| 2020 | #13 – 95.53% | |
| 2019 | #17 – 91.07% | |
| 2018 | #53 – 49.91% | |
| 2017 | #49 – 45.69% |
Red dots represent unserved locations.
Wadena County: still near the top
Wadena County’s broadband coverage has stayed about the same but they have almost ubiquitous coverage, which is why they retain Green status.
At the time of writing, the MN BEAD final proposal has not been approved, but the current proposal would mean coverage for 19 locations in Wadena County. Some locations will get fiber and the rest will get a satellite connection, which does not qualify as served in the MN statute.
There is still Line Extension funding yet to be distributed, which helps connect handfuls of houses just beyond existing infrastructure. (Wadena has not benefitted from earlier Line Extension awards. So that seems like a strategy worth considering to reach the last households.)
Statewide, there have been changes with local and national broadband providers, which also leads to uncertainty.
Household Density
10.4
Number of Providers
13
As of 2025 · Source: MN DEED
Households with Device Access
statewide
statewide
statewide
statewide
statewide
Has Worked with Blandin Foundation
Yes
Has Received MN Grant(s)
Yes
2015 – West Central Telephone Association Hwy 71 Wadena NORTH Expansion Project – Grant Award: $193,515
WCTA (West Central Telephone Association) – Rural Staples Phase I Project – GRANT $555,355