Verndale is a city in Wadena County, Minnesota, United States.

[5] The city was named for Vernie Smith, the granddaughter of an early settler.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.98 square miles (2.54 km2), all of it land.

Nearly 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Of those, 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which operates between Seattle/Portland and Chicago, passes through the town on BNSF tracks, but makes no stop.

The nearest station is located in Staples, 11 miles (18 km) to the east.