[7] The city was named for Daniel Thompson Wheaton, a railroad surveyor.

[7] One property in the city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Wheaton Depot, built circa 1906.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 1.80 square miles (4.66 km2), all land.

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,424 people, 655 households, and 370 families living in the city.

39.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The racial makeup of the city was 99.20% White, 0.37% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, and 0.06% from two or more races.

39.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.