Wayne County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Wayne County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 117,606. It is the 24th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Wayne County is 37.4 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Wayne County is $58,082. This is 17% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 26% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $162,700. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Wayne County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Wayne County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 30.2%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.4%.