CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Wayne County

Tennessee · 16,232 residents · 734.109 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 $42,206. Population has declined 4% since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $109,100. With a median age of 44.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 42%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,232
−4%since 2000
from 16,842 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
22 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 23 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.4
+19%since 2000
from 37.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K15K15K16K17K1990201020202024Wayne County
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,206
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,576 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,231
+54%since 2000
from $14,472 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.6%
+10.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 16.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade13.4%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade10.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Information9.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6%
US avg: 5.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services2.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$109,100
+42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $51,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$516
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $322 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
78.9%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 82.9% in 2000
21.1% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+34%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wayne County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.3%(15,383)
Black6.8%(1,143)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(142)
Asian0.2%(42)
Other0%
Diversity Score18.5%(3,111)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic89.3%(14,503)
Black5.4%(878)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(379)
Asian0.2%(27)
Other2%(331)
Diversity Score23.3%(3,782)
Segregation Score30.6%(4,965)
Diversity Score
23
+26%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
31
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.6%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.0%
+19.7 ptssince 2000
from 61.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
33.0 min
+42%since 2000
from 23.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.5%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 80.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.0%
−8.0 ptssince 2011
from 14.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
46.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2011
from 47.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.5%
−25.8 ptssince 2009
from 56.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 54.1% in 2009
Female
45.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
Foreign born
1.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.4%
−73.7 ptssince 2013
from 86.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Wayne County

Cross County
Pop 16,186
Arkansas County
Pop 15,836
Trinity County
Pop 15,720
Van Buren County
Pop 16,238
Places similar to Wayne County
Head to head

Compare Wayne County to nearby counties

WAYNE COUNTY VS
Hardin County
Income$49,956+18%
Home value$160,400+47%
Population27,983+70%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAYNE COUNTY VS
Lawrence County
Income$54,706+30%
Home value$194,400+78%
Population46,914+186%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAYNE COUNTY VS
Lauderdale County
Income$62,649+48%
Home value$200,300+84%
Population97,135+492%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAYNE COUNTY VS
Lewis County
Income$56,285+33%
Home value$173,400+59%
Population13,487−18%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wayne County, Tennessee?

Wayne County, Tennessee has about 16,232 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wayne County, Tennessee?

The typical household in Wayne County, Tennessee earns about $42,206 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wayne County, Tennessee expensive?

In Wayne County, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $109,100, and the typical rent is about $516 a month.

How educated are people in Wayne County, Tennessee?

About 10.6% of adults age 25 and over in Wayne County, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wayne County, Tennessee?

About 16.1% of people in Wayne County, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wayne County, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Wayne County, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,297 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

4 census tracts
Census Tract 9502Census Tract 9501Census Tract 9503Census Tract 9504
6 ZIP codes
ZIP 38485ZIP 38425ZIP 38463ZIP 38450ZIP 38452ZIP 38471
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →