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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Wayne County

North Carolina · 117,333 residents · 553.922 sq mi
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The short version

Wayne County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,221. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $125,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
117,333
+4%since 2000
from 113,329 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
212 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 205 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.0
+12%since 2000
from 34.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
103K109K115K121K126K1990201020202024Wayne County
2024119K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,221
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,942 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,362
+55%since 2000
from $17,010 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
28.6%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.7%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 13.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade13.8%
US avg: 10%
Information13.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$125,900
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $77,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$784
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $455 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
62.4%
−2.9 ptssince 2000
from 65.4% in 2000
37.6% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+18%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wayne County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic59.8%(67,756)
Black32.9%(37,230)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(5,604)
Asian0.9%(1,063)
Other0%
Diversity Score64.7%(73,373)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic51.3%(60,199)
Black30.1%(35,329)
Hispanic / Latino12.7%(14,927)
Asian1.3%(1,542)
Other3.6%(4,178)
Diversity Score77.6%(91,086)
Segregation Score36.8%(43,195)
Diversity Score
78
+20%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
37
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.8%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.5%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 77.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+52%since 2000
from 14.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.4%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.4%
−5.1 ptssince 2011
from 10.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.4%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 63.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
29.6%
−31.9 ptssince 2009
from 61.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
51.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
7.0%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
13.0%
−70.6 ptssince 2013
from 83.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Wayne County

Cochise County
Pop 126,332
Lowndes County
Pop 122,867
Craighead County
Pop 116,957
Humboldt County
Pop 131,647
Places similar to Wayne County
Head to head

Compare Wayne County to nearby counties

WAYNE COUNTY VS
Greene County
Income$53,244+13%
Home value$117,400−7%
Population20,700−83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAYNE COUNTY VS
Lenoir County
Income$45,143−4%
Home value$120,500−4%
Population55,837−54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAYNE COUNTY VS
Johnston County
Income$83,384+77%
Home value$305,600+143%
Population256,448+110%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAYNE COUNTY VS
Wilson County
Income$56,423+19%
Home value$186,000+48%
Population81,150−34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wayne County, North Carolina?

Wayne County, North Carolina has about 117,333 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wayne County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Wayne County, North Carolina earns about $47,221 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wayne County, North Carolina expensive?

In Wayne County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $125,900, and the typical rent is about $784 a month.

How educated are people in Wayne County, North Carolina?

About 19.8% of adults age 25 and over in Wayne County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wayne County, North Carolina?

About 18.7% of people in Wayne County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wayne County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Wayne County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 12,667 residents, a change of about 12 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

30 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 3.03Census Tract 4.01Census Tract 1.02Census Tract 3.04Census Tract 6.03Census Tract 1.04Census Tract 13.01Census Tract 3.02Census Tract 9.02Census Tract 9.01Census Tract 13.02Census Tract 12Census Tract 6.01Census Tract 10Census Tract 19Census Tract 4.02Census Tract 14.01Census Tract 11.04Census Tract 11.03Census Tract 11.02
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 27530ZIP 27534ZIP 27863ZIP 28333ZIP 28578ZIP 27830ZIP 27533ZIP 27531
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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