Population 10,862 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Wayne County
Household size in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.30 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.41 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.43 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.34 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Wayne County are small: just 2.34 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.30, even as the national average fell. Few Missouri counties have smaller households: only eight of 115.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.1 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.8 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.8 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.3 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.2 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.3, Wayne County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 44.1 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only 11 of Missouri's 115 counties are older.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.8% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.5% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.5% of households in Wayne County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.0 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than 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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.7% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.6% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.5% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.9% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
About a quarter of households in Wayne County rent their homes (24.9%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. About six in ten owners (59.0%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the northwest and least common in the east. The renter share is down 1.8 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.6% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.1% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 30.4% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.2% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 23.2% of the housing in Wayne County, 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. Vacancy has fallen 2.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1976 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in Wayne County was built around 1980, the same vintage as the country's housing overall. The median year built has moved up from 1975 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the west 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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $419 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $541 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $591 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $645 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$226 | +$383 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Wayne County costs $645 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $226 a month since 2006–10, up 54%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 22.6% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the southeast.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.2% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Wayne County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 13.2%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 4.0 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only 11 of Missouri's 115 counties have a lower share of college graduates.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.9% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 75.7% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 76.4% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 81.1% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.2 pts | +5.1 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. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 8.2 points, mirroring the country. Only three of Missouri's 115 counties have a lower share of high school graduates.
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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.8% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.0% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.4% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Wayne County: 6.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Few Missouri counties have higher unemployment: only six of 115. Unemployment has fallen 1.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | 2.34 | 46.3 | 7.5% | 24.9% | 23.2% | 1980 | $645 | 13.2% | 81.1% | 6.4% |
| Shannon County | 2.48 | 46.0 | 9.9% | 20.1% | 16.7% | 1980 | $521 | 12.9% | 84.3% | 1.5% |
| Scott County | 2.53 | 39.6 | 15.4% | 28.9% | 9.0% | 1975 | $898 | 21.4% | 87.1% | 3.0% |
| Alexander County | 2.48 | 49.3 | 10.1% | 22.4% | 33.9% | 1971 | $638 | 12.4% | 88.2% | 5.4% |
| Pulaski County | 2.49 | 44.6 | 12.8% | 31.8% | 28.1% | 1971 | $679 | 13.7% | 87.0% | 3.4% |
| Ballard County | 2.37 | 43.9 | 8.2% | 24.0% | 12.8% | 1982 | $789 | 18.4% | 93.7% | 1.5% |
| Massac County | 2.55 | 43.9 | 12.5% | 23.6% | 19.1% | 1975 | $757 | 17.1% | 90.6% | 4.4% |
| McCracken County | 2.44 | 43.2 | 10.2% | 31.1% | 14.8% | 1977 | $974 | 28.0% | 93.5% | 3.4% |
| Wright County | 2.74 | 39.9 | 11.0% | 22.9% | 13.4% | 1980 | $634 | 15.6% | 83.5% | 4.1% |
| Livingston County | 2.49 | 44.8 | 11.8% | 18.8% | 20.2% | 1980 | $830 | 14.6% | 91.4% | 4.0% |
| Webster County | 2.88 | 37.1 | 8.1% | 22.6% | 10.5% | 1989 | $850 | 18.4% | 88.3% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Day County, SD · Somervell County, TX · Socorro County, NM · Seward County, NE · Divide County, ND · Dillingham Census Area, AK · Dickens County, TX · Dewey County, SD · Dewey County, OK · Deuel County, SD
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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