Wayne, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wayne, Michigan had a total population of 17,310, the 66th largest city in Michigan, with a median household income of $59,038, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.3% is notably above the national average.
Wayne Quick Facts
How Wayne Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,413 | 17,310 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $54,467 | $59,038 | +8.4% |
| Median home value | $142,200 | $157,800 | +11.0% |
How Wayne Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wayne Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 638,530 | $39,938 | 32.7% | $83,900 |
| Dearborn | 107,423 | $65,324 | 24.3% | $218,800 |
| Livonia | 93,851 | $98,460 | 4.7% | $281,100 |
| Westland | 83,633 | $62,076 | 14.3% | $184,600 |
| Taylor | 62,081 | $61,081 | 18.4% | $152,600 |
| Dearborn Heights | 61,771 | $60,391 | 21.9% | $185,100 |
| Lincoln Park | 39,257 | $58,616 | 21.5% | $131,000 |
| Southgate | 29,366 | $66,118 | 9.4% | $173,600 |
| Allen Park | 27,925 | $81,655 | 6.9% | $183,700 |
| Hamtramck | 27,743 | $39,293 | 39.9% | $131,000 |
Cities Similar to Wayne
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wixom | 17,295 | $65,485 | $365,200 | 46.9% | 10.9% |
| Cutlerville | 18,780 | $67,327 | $222,600 | 24.0% | 10.3% |
| Monroe | 20,320 | $59,813 | $167,900 | 19.9% | 19.2% |
| Mount Clemens | 15,511 | $52,310 | $179,400 | 18.0% | 16.4% |
| Haslett | 18,559 | $74,031 | $286,100 | 57.1% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Wayne is a small city located in Michigan, within Wayne County. The total population is 17,310. It ranks as the 66th most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wayne is 42.5 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wayne is $59,038. This is 19% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.7%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 10.3%. This is 81% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $157,800. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $231,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Wayne is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wayne is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 24.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (24.7% vs 13.1%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
17.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wayne, Michigan is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wayne, Michigan?
Wayne, Michigan has a population of 17,310 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wayne, MI?
The median household income in Wayne is $59,038, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wayne, MI?
The poverty rate in Wayne is 15.7%. This means approximately 2,680 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wayne, Michigan?
Wayne's population is 63.2% White, 24.7% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wayne, MI?
The median home value in Wayne is $157,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Wayne, Michigan?
17.5% of adults (25+) in Wayne hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.