Skip to main content

Wayne County, Missouri Demographics 2026

Wayne County, Missouri has a population of 10,942, the 81st most populous county in Missouri. The median household income is $43,393 and the median home value is $113,100. The poverty rate is 25.1%.

Wayne County Quick Facts

Population 10,942
Median Household Income $43,393
Median Home Value $113,100
Poverty Rate 25.1%
Unemployment Rate 7.7%
Median Age 48.2 years
Homeownership Rate 76.0%
Affordability Ratio 2.6x
Bachelor's Degree+ 11.0%
High School Graduation 80.7%
Cities/Places 0
Population 10,942 81st of 115
Median Income $43,393 37% lower state
Poverty Rate 25.1%
Unemployment 7.7%

Economy & Housing

Employment

7.7% Unemployment Rate State: 4.1% | National: 5.2%
45.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 76.0%
Renter 24.0%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.6x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

13out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 39 | National average: 60

Education

Explore Missouri Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Population Overview

Wayne County is located in Missouri with a total population of 10,942. It is the 81st most populous county out of 115 in Missouri.

Age Demographics

The median age in Wayne County is 48.2 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. 10.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Wayne County is $43,393. This is 37% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 99% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 87% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $113,100. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Wayne County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Wayne County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.

Education

11.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.7%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Wayne County, Missouri?

Wayne County has a population of 10,942, making it the 81st most populous county in Missouri.

What is the median income in Wayne County?

The median household income in Wayne County is $43,393 with a poverty rate of 25.1%.

How many cities are in Wayne County, Missouri?

Wayne County contains 0 Census-designated places.