Wayne County, Indiana Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Wayne County is located in Indiana with a total population of 66,377. It is the 25th most populous county out of 92 in Indiana. The county encompasses 2 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Wayne County is 40.9 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Wayne County is $56,652. This is 19% lower than the state median of $70,051. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $126,100. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $201,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Wayne County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

Wayne County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.0%. The Black or African American population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 8.4%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.

Education

20.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 28.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.3%.