Wausa, Nebraska

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 634 people, 257 households, and 172 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,196.2 inhabitants per square mile (461.9/km²). There were 290 housing units at an average density of 547.2 per square mile (211.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.6% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 257 households, of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.1% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the village was 48.3 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.8% were from 45 to 64; and 30.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 636 people, 276 households, and 171 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,209.4 people per square mile (463.3/km²). There were 301 housing units at an average density of 572.4 per square mile (219.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.90% White, 0.47% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.16% Asian, and 0.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.

There were 276 households, out of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 26.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 19.2% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 34.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the village was $28,929, and the median income for a family was $36,477. Males had a median income of $27,000 versus $15,313 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,487. About 4.8% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

The annual Pork Chop Barbecue, a fund raising event for the Wausa Community Club, is held on a Saturday night in late July or early August. Weather permitting, this event is usually held in the spacious Gladstone Park. Originally started in 1984 as a fund-raiser for the town's 1990 Centennial, it is now used to raise funds for worthwhile projects within the community. The "all you can eat" menu for the evening consists of grilled pork chops, baked potatoes, cole slaw, lemonade, pop, coffee and beer. A band plays for your listening and dancing enjoyment with intermissions filled with the auctioning of donated items. Auction items often include hand-crafted items, Husker football tickets, guided tours on Lewis and Clark Lake, labor and agricultural products, to name a few

A tradition at Wausa has been a Labor Day Weekend Celebration. Each year's activities vary as well as the number of days (1 -3). In recent years the celebration has been a one-day (Sunday) affair packed with events for all ages. Activities include a beef barbecue, car show, community worship service, kiddie carnival, food court, ice cream social, petting zoo, model airplane show, skydiving exhibition, horseshoe pitching contest, sand volleyball tournament and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. The evening finale typically is a local talent contest, a play production, a magic show or a musical performance.

The Wausa Community Swedish Smörgåsbord is held the fourth Saturday of each October. For over 50 years the annual event has been a community project complete with colorful Swedish costumes and decorations. The Smörgåsbord serves a variety of tasty foods including potato sausage, meatballs, ham, herring, cold meats, salads, rye bread, sweet breads, brown beans, deviled eggs, fruit soup, ostkaka, rice pudding and lingonberries. Several recipes used have been passed down from generation to generation and are still favorites today.

The first pastor of Evangelical Covenant Church was Rev. C. F. Larson. The founder of this church was The Swedish Christian congregation of Wausa This church was rebuilt and started in 1893. The Swedish language was used in Sunday school until 1918 and then dropped. The Young People's Society was started in the early 1900s and now they are now called High League. The early 1900s the first choir was started.

Golgotha Lutheran Church (LCMS) was started in 1896. The founder of Golgotha was Theodore Moellering. The first pastor got ill, so was there for only a few months. Church services were spoken in German until 1941. The first church services were held in country schools near the present site of the church. In the year of 1898 the church bought 5 acres (20,000 m²) of land. In 1914 the first church was struck by lightning and burned to the ground.

The first pastor of Thabor Lutheran Church was Rev. C. G. Olson. The founder of Thabor was Pastor S. Thorell. This church was started in 1892 and was rebuilt with a bell that was the only one in town. The Sunday school was built in 1950 with the Luther League installed right after. They had the Swedish language in the church until 1934, when it was dropped in favor of the English language. The Moller Pipe Organ was installed in 1952 and still played every Sunday. The first worship service was held in 1904 in the new church. In 1962 a Swedish tradition was added called "Santa Lucia".

The first Methodist pastor was Rev. Gearhart. The founder was Rev. Carter. This church was started in 1892. The preacher was paid with butter, eggs, pork, and grain. The United Methodist Women's group started the Smorgasbord in 1948. Osmond and Magnet were in charge of the Methodist Church. The bell was removed in 1986.