Population 19,602 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Wayne County
Household size in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.39 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.56 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.46 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Wayne County has 2.43 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.39, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the north.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.9 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.8 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.8 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.3 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.4 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Wayne County is 43.3 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 39.9, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the west, the oldest in the north.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.7% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.4% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.8% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.7% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in ten households in Wayne County (10.7%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Single parents are less common here than in Kentucky overall (11.9%). Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.0 points, as it has nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Wayne County
Renters in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.8% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.9% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.5% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 30.9% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
About three in ten households in Wayne County rent their homes (30.9%), a little below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. About six in ten owners (60.8%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the north. The renter share has risen 4.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.1% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.3% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.7% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.8% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Wayne County: 16.8% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Wayne County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1982, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1977 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $434 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $525 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $591 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $736 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$302 | +$367 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Wayne County costs $736 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $302 a month from 2006–10, a 69% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 26.9% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Wayne County
Bachelor's degrees in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.5% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.6% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Wayne County: 14.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.4 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the west.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 67.0% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 67.3% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 73.8% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 81.1% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +14.0 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in five adults in Wayne County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 81.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 14.0 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Wayne County has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five Kentucky counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.8% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 15.4% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.6% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.3% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.6 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Wayne County is close to the national rate: 5.3% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 7.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Wayne County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County | 2.43 | 43.3 | 10.7% | 30.9% | 16.8% | 1982 | $736 | 14.6% | 81.1% | 5.3% |
| Clinton County | 2.37 | 41.6 | 9.5% | 28.9% | 19.0% | 1983 | $647 | 17.4% | 77.4% | 5.5% |
| McCreary County | 2.53 | 40.6 | 11.8% | 25.8% | 15.0% | 1987 | $584 | 10.5% | 78.6% | 5.4% |
| Cumberland County | 2.44 | 43.5 | 9.9% | 24.5% | 22.5% | 1986 | $525 | 20.1% | 82.4% | 3.5% |
| Whitley County | 2.65 | 35.4 | 15.1% | 33.2% | 14.1% | 1987 | $797 | 20.5% | 84.8% | 6.1% |
| Metcalfe County | 2.56 | 42.4 | 9.6% | 22.3% | 14.3% | 1988 | $599 | 12.8% | 88.6% | 5.1% |
| Monroe County | 2.43 | 40.4 | 14.4% | 29.1% | 12.5% | 1979 | $709 | 17.8% | 86.3% | 3.7% |
| Knox County | 2.54 | 40.2 | 15.6% | 34.7% | 14.2% | 1985 | $703 | 14.1% | 76.8% | 8.0% |
| Barren County | 2.52 | 40.5 | 15.7% | 34.8% | 10.8% | 1985 | $815 | 18.5% | 86.5% | 3.9% |
| Allen County | 2.67 | 41.6 | 10.8% | 25.5% | 13.9% | 1989 | $871 | 17.6% | 86.7% | 7.8% |
| Warren County | 2.58 | 35.2 | 11.5% | 44.4% | 8.3% | 1991 | $1,076 | 31.2% | 87.4% | 4.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Crawford County, GA · Dakota County, NE · Custer County, OK · Custer County, NE · Custer County, MT · Cumberland County, VA · Cumberland County, IL · Crockett County, TN · Crenshaw County, AL · Crawford County, MI
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Wayne County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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