Population 51,262 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Wayne County
Household size in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.48 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.56 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.35 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Wayne County is a place of small households, averaging 2.35 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.48 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.9 | 40.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.5 | 41.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 49.2 | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.3 | 42.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.3 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 49.3, 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 44.9 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Few Pennsylvania counties are older: only three of 67.
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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.4% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.3% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Wayne County than nationally: 9.3%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 0.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.7% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.9% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.0% | 31.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.5% | 30.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | +1.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Wayne County is largely a place of homeowners: only 19.5% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Just over half of owners (52.9%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Few Pennsylvania counties have a lower share of renters: only three of 67.
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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.0% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 31.8% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 34.3% | 10.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 28.3% | 9.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Wayne County: 28.3% 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 1.7 points, mirroring the country.
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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1970 | 1963 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1973 | 1964 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1965 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1967 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Wayne County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1977, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are newer than in Pennsylvania overall, where the median home dates to 1967. The median year built has moved up from 1970 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, 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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $718 | $829 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $895 | $923 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $819 | $1,039 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,056 | $1,323 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$338 | +$494 | +$606 |
Rent in Wayne County runs $1,056 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $338 a month since 2006–10, up 47%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 31.6% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northeast; the highest are in the south.
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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.8% | 27.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.8% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.8% | 31.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.3% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Wayne County: 24.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 6.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the center 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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.8% | 87.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.5% | 88.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.0% | 90.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.4% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.6 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Wayne County is a bit above the national rate: 92.4% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of Pennsylvania. The share with a diploma is up 5.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.1% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 8.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Wayne County is close to the national rate: 5.8% of the labor force, against 5.4%. 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 | 2.35 | 49.3 | 9.3% | 19.5% | 28.3% | 1977 | $1,056 | 24.3% | 92.4% | 5.8% |
| Lackawanna County | 2.40 | 42.6 | 12.5% | 34.6% | 11.9% | 1957 | $1,067 | 30.8% | 91.6% | 5.0% |
| Wyoming County | 2.34 | 45.4 | 8.7% | 22.1% | 15.0% | 1970 | $956 | 22.3% | 92.5% | 4.9% |
| Sullivan County | 2.61 | 41.0 | 15.9% | 32.6% | 34.1% | 1973 | $1,223 | 28.8% | 87.1% | 5.2% |
| Orange County | 3.09 | 37.6 | 10.4% | 32.2% | 8.9% | 1976 | $1,781 | 30.9% | 88.8% | 5.3% |
| Sullivan County | 2.19 | 56.0 | 5.5% | 15.1% | 51.6% | 1972 | $846 | 22.1% | 92.6% | 6.0% |
| Dutchess County | 2.49 | 43.5 | 8.8% | 30.8% | 6.7% | 1970 | $1,686 | 41.4% | 92.5% | 5.2% |
| Putnam County | 2.72 | 44.4 | 7.9% | 16.2% | 8.6% | 1968 | $1,962 | 45.3% | 92.8% | 4.5% |
| Middlesex County | 2.35 | 45.3 | 8.8% | 25.0% | 9.5% | 1970 | $1,540 | 44.7% | 95.2% | 3.9% |
| Cameron County | 1.99 | 52.7 | 11.8% | 27.6% | 29.3% | 1958 | $766 | 12.8% | 92.2% | 7.9% |
| New London County | 2.38 | 43.4 | 11.4% | 32.4% | 9.7% | 1968 | $1,478 | 36.6% | 93.5% | 4.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: St. John the Baptist Parish, LA · Bonner County, ID · Boyd County, KY · Cayey Municipio, PR · Sweetwater County, WY · Suwannee County, FL · Sullivan County, NH · Stephens County, OK · St. Mary Parish, LA · Aguadilla Municipio, PR
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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