Population 16,168 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Wayne County
Household size in Wayne County
| Period | Wayne County | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.45 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.42 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.55 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.10 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Wayne County has 2.55 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.45 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the center.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.0 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.8 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.8 | 39.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.0 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.0 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.0, Wayne County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.0, as it has nationally.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.7% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.8% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.0% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in ten households in Wayne County (11.0%), close to the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 1.3 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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.9% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.9% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.6% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.8% | 33.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | +2.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 19.8% of households in Wayne County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About six in ten owners (61.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the southwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 5.0 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.6% | 11.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.2% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.8% | 11.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.7% | 10.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Wayne County: 18.7% 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. Of Tennessee's 95 counties, only nine have a higher vacancy rate.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in Wayne County is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1986, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1978 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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $521 | $761 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $457 | $837 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $555 | $961 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $553 | $1,286 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$32 | +$526 | +$606 |
Rent in Wayne County runs $553 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $32 a month since 2006–10, up 6%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 28.1% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Only one other Tennessee county has lower rents.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 23.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 25.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.2% | 27.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.1% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Wayne County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 13.1%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 3.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the east.
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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 75.3% | 83.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 75.2% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.0% | 87.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 82.6% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +6.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in six adults in Wayne County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 82.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 7.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only seven of Tennessee's 95 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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.9% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.5% | 9.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.4% | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.7% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −9.2 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Wayne County has been strong: just 2.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Few Tennessee counties have lower unemployment: only seven of 95. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 9.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 | 2.55 | 45.0 | 11.0% | 19.8% | 18.7% | 1986 | $553 | 13.1% | 82.6% | 2.7% |
| Lawrence County | 2.72 | 39.4 | 9.9% | 22.4% | 9.8% | 1983 | $814 | 15.4% | 86.3% | 5.0% |
| Hardin County | 2.47 | 44.9 | 10.7% | 22.0% | 22.1% | 1984 | $797 | 14.3% | 82.5% | 4.7% |
| McNairy County | 2.61 | 43.1 | 10.7% | 20.3% | 18.5% | 1985 | $723 | 13.3% | 88.6% | 5.7% |
| Giles County | 2.49 | 43.2 | 10.0% | 26.7% | 15.8% | 1983 | $868 | 19.9% | 88.2% | 5.0% |
| Hardeman County | 2.38 | 42.4 | 13.3% | 28.3% | 14.9% | 1983 | $853 | 13.8% | 86.3% | 8.8% |
| Lincoln County | 2.42 | 42.3 | 11.4% | 24.2% | 9.4% | 1984 | $869 | 20.8% | 87.4% | 5.1% |
| Moore County | 2.49 | 45.6 | 10.4% | 17.5% | 8.3% | 1992 | $912 | 22.8% | 91.3% | 4.6% |
| Franklin County | 2.40 | 42.7 | 8.3% | 22.6% | 13.6% | 1984 | $961 | 25.6% | 91.8% | 2.8% |
| Fayette County | 2.52 | 47.4 | 8.4% | 18.6% | 7.8% | 1997 | $1,131 | 27.2% | 91.9% | 4.8% |
| Grundy County | 2.66 | 43.1 | 10.2% | 16.3% | 17.2% | 1986 | $718 | 14.7% | 82.2% | 10.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Crittenden County, KY · Wilcox County, AL · Wilcox County, GA · Daviess County, MO · Wilkes County, GA · Dallas County, AR · Dallam County, TX · Wilkinson County, GA · Dade County, MO · Custer 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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